Achyranthes aspera L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Equisetopsida > Caryophyllales > Amaranthaceae > Achyranthes > A. aspera

Description: An erect undershrub up to 3 ft., lower portion perennial. Stem: stout to very weak, distinctly to obscurely 4-angled, striate or sulcate, subglabrous to densely tomentose, the nodes ± shrunken when dry. Leaves: opposite, variable. Branches pubescent, striate. It is common under growth, with sharp spiny bracteoles and pungent tips of the perianth which sticks to the cloths. Inflorescences at first dense, finally elongating. Bracts: lanceolate or narrowly deltoid-lanceolate, pale or brownish-membranous, glabrous. Flowers: green or pinkish, segments; the outer pair longest, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, very acute, with a distinct midrib and 2 obscure to distinct lateral nerves, narrowly or moderately pale-margined. Stamens 5, the filaments alternating with subquadrate pseudostaminodes; Style: slender, 1–4 Capsule oblong-ovoid, 1–3. Seed filling the capsule, oblong-ovoid, smooth.

Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout the year

Uses: Ayurveda, Folk medicine, Homoeopathy, Folk medicine, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani, Siddha, Traditional Chinese medicine

Cultivation: Cultivated/wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org