NAME IN CONTEMPORARY USE: Turnera diffusa Willd.

SYNONYMS:

Latin: Turnera aphrodisiaca Ward.

English: Damiana

French: Damiana

German: Damiana

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION: Family Turneraceae (Turnera Family)

Annual or perennial under-shrub. The stem, 0.3-2 m high, is very branched and pubescent. The leaves are alternate and/or verticillate, simple, pale green to yellow green in color, measuring approximately 10 to 25 mm in length and 5 to 10 mm in width. The oval-lanceolate lamina is attenuate at the base, having a crenate edge with 3 to 6 teeth on each side. The upper surface is glabrous, marked by a median vein which forms an indentation; the lower surface has a network of prominent veins with a few hairs. At the leaf base, there is a small gland on each side of the petiole. The fragrance is pleasantly aromatic; the taste bitter and resinous.

RANGE AND HABITAT: Tropical America.