Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 1.2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical & Subtropical Africa and Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb up to 1.2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, papery leaves (1.5-7 cm long, 0.4-4 cm wide) are broadly obovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic-oblong (oval-elongated). They are hairy on both sides. |
| Stems | Stems are 4-sided and covered in short hairs. |
| Flowers | Flowers are arranged in a 10-30 cm long spike inflorescence which is initially erect, but later bends backwards after the flowers bloom. |
| Fruit | Dry, indehiscent fruit known as a utricle is bladder-like and covered by loose, papery tissue. Each egg-shaped fruit (2.5-3 mm long) contains 1 brown, egg-shaped seed (2 mm long). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat asthma and cough. It is one of the most important medicinal herbs in Nepal. The whole plant is used medicinally, but the roots are generally considered to be more effective. A decoction of crushed plant material is taken to treat pneumonia. Infusion of the root is a mild astringent in bowel complaints. The flowering spikes or seeds are applied externally to treat snake bites. In India and Nepal, ashes from burning the plant are mixed with mustard oil and salt and used to clean teeth. The stem of the plant is stripped of thorns and then used as a toothbrush. The infusion of the twig is used as a gargle for toothaches. Roots are used to treat cancer and indigestion. Caution: One study found that its leaf extract had toxic effects in rat embryos and fetuses. <1> It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical, Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Utricle |
References
| References | <1> Teshome, D., Tiruneh, C., Berhanu, L., Berihun, G. & Belete, Z.W. (2021). Developmental Toxicity of Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Achyranthes aspera, Amaranthaceae in Rat Embryos and Fetuses. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology 13: 555-563. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31568 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5967 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |