Scleromitrion diffusum

Scleromitrion diffusum, synonyms including Hedyotis diffusa, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, known as, sometimes abbreviated to 蛇舌草 shéshécǎo. It is sometimes combined with Siraitia grosvenorii and Scutellaria barbata to make hot drinks like lohoguo of guongsei or luohanguo pearl and sheshecao beverage.

Taxonomy

There is considerable confusion over the application of the name Hedyotis diffusa Willd. and its synonyms. In the sense used in the Flora of China, and in much research on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and potential medical applications of the species, Hedyotis diffusa refers to a plant with solitary-flowered inflorescences. In 1990, a herbarium specimen of a plant with different form of inflorescence was chosen as the lectotype. In 2021, it was proposed that the name Hedyotis diffusa should be conserved, based on a one-flowered specimen as the type. Synonyms of Hedyotis diffusa then include Oldenlandia diffusa Roxb. and Scleromitrion diffusum R.J.Wang. These are the homotypic synonyms accepted by Plants of the World Online as of 2023, which treated the taxon as Scleromitrion diffusum.

Distribution

Wild Scleromitrion diffusum is native to tropical and subtropical Asia.