​Melochia corchorifolia L. (Chocolate Weed) an Underutilized Bio-resource: A Review

Melochia corchorifolia L. commonly known as ‘Chocolate weed’ is an annual herbaceous troublesome weed found in cultivated land across the world. ‘Eradication by Utilization’ could be employed as an effective means of managing Melochia corchorifolia. Plant extracts of Melochia corchorifolia can be utilized for the control of the storage pest, Callosobruchus maculatus. Active fraction of the plant extract along with neem oil and karanj oil could be used to prepare botanical pesticides. Several phytochemicals having pharmacological properties have been identified from the plant extracts of Melochia corchorifolia. Being a good source of minerals and nutrients, the fresh leaves are used as food and folk medicine in various parts of the world.