Dorstenia contrajerva aka Snakewort

Dorstenia contrajerva belongs to the mulberry family, Moraceae. It is an evergreen perennial: it stays green and lives for years. People call it snakewort, contra hierba, and South American snakeroot. Its home range spans Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It also grows wild in tropical South America. It grows in damp woods and thickets across this range. These sites lie from sea level to about 5,906 feet [1,800 metres]. Kew places it in the seasonally dry tropical climate zone.

This low plant grows to about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. A rhizome, or creeping stem, helps it spread along the ground. Its leaves reach about 0.66 feet [0.2 metres] long. Deep lobes split the leaf blades, which feel rough. The leaf stalks reach about 0.82 feet [0.25 metres] long. It keeps its leaves rather than shedding them each year. Its low shape suits ground cover beneath taller plants.

The green flowers grow on odd structures called receptacles. Chicago Botanic Garden lists bloom times throughout the year. These structures hold seeds too, which adds to their appeal. Chicago notes that the seeds sprout with ease on reaching soil. In shaded beds, the plant offers a choice besides showy blooms. Gardeners use it in borders and beds, and beneath trees or shrubs. Its leaves and seed-bearing parts give it much of its appeal.

Grow this plant in part shade or full shade. It prefers rich soil that stays moist throughout. The soil should hold plenty of humus, or decayed plant matter. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a USDA hardiness range of 9–11. Growers raise new plants from seeds, cuttings, or split plants. Useful Tropical Plants reports that seeds sprout well at 16–21°C. People take roots from both wild and grown plants for folk medicine. They grow it for this use in Indonesia and Malaysia. They also grow it for this use in Africa and South America.

Folk uses include treating fever, dysentery, and bites from venomous animals. These reports of folk use do not prove safe treatment. The name contra hierba comes from its past use against poisons. In North and Central America, people also add it to tobacco. They grind the rhizomes and leaves to change the taste. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses or hazards. This lack of known hazards does not mean it is safe to eat.