A plant record

Common wireweed (Ti lalo)

Sida acuta · Malvaceae

EnglishCommon wireweed

KreyòlTi lalo

FrançaisBalai dur

BotanicalSida acuta

Also known asSida carpinifoliabalé midionzèsavannmalvapetit lalobalai cinq heuresguimauve à petites fleursherbe connaît

FamilyMalvaceae

Common wireweed (Ti lalo) — Sida acuta, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

A tough little roadside mallow. A decoction of the whole plant or root is a common Caribbean remedy for fever, colds, and inflammation, and the mucilaginous leaf is laid on wounds and boils. ⚠ Avoid in pregnancy and prolonged use — the plant carries sympathomimetic alkaloids (including ephedrine and vasicine).

In three languages

Kreyòl — bese lafyèv (dekoksyon plant antye oswa rasin); soulaje dizantri ak dyare; benyen blesi epi fè poulti sou plak; soulaje tèt fè mal (poulti fèy); itilize kòm anti-enflamatwa pou lestomak ak konjonktivit

Français — Petite mauve coriace des bords de route. Une décoction de la plante entière ou de la racine est un remède caribéen courant contre fièvre, refroidissements et inflammation, et la feuille mucilagineuse s'applique sur plaies et furoncles. ⚠ À éviter pendant la grossesse et en usage prolongé — la plante renferme des alcaloïdes sympathomimétiques (dont éphédrine et vasicine).

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

TRAMIL Caribbean pharmacopoeia; Caribbean ethnobotany

Kept alongside

Common MallowHollyhockHeartleaf sidaSea hibiscusDwarf mallow

More on Haitian plant medicine