Rhytidophyllum tomentosum

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Gesneriaceae
Genus:	Rhytidophyllum
Species:	R. tomentosum
Binomial name
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum (L.) Mart.

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum is a perennial flowering shrub belonging to the Gesneriaceae family. It is a member of the Rhytidophyllum genus.[1]

In Jamaica the vernacular names for R. tomentosum are "search my heart"[2][3] or "heart bush".

Habitat

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum is native to Jamaica.[4][5] The shrub thrives in shaded damp rocky hillsides on the island. It has been introduced to the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Description

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum has long slender lime-green to dark green hairy leaves that are between 6 and 8 inches long. The leaves are pointed at both ends and have jagged edges.

The plant blooms light yellow tubular flowers that have dark red spots in the center.

Traditional uses

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum leaves (fresh or dried) are used to make an herbal tea[3] for heart palpitations, coughs, chest congestion, sinus infections, and menstrual cramps. However, these claims are all based on folk medicinal practices.

In addition, the plant's leaves and stems are combined with other ingredients to make Jamaican root tonic.

References

1. https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/en-en/tomentosum/
2. "UF Digital Collections".
3. Lowe, Henry; Steele, Blair; Bryant, Joseph; Fouad, Emadelden; Toyang, Ngeh; Ngwa, Wilfred (January 2021). "Important Jamaican Medicinal Plants with Special Reference to Their Antiviral Activity". Molecules. 26 (3): 607. doi:10.3390/molecules26030607. PMC 7865499. PMID 33503834.
4. "Rhytidophyllum tomentosum (L.) Mart. - Jamaica, Cornwall Co. (BARCODE: 110428) - ISB: Atlas of Florida Plants". florida.plantatlas.usf.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
5. "Jamaica". National Geography. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 2024-04-05.