Amaranthus spinosus L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Equisetopsida > Caryophyllales > Amaranthaceae > Amaranthus > A. spinosus L.

Description: Plants glabrous or sparsely pubescent in the distal younger parts of stems and branches. Stems erect or sometimes ascending proximally, much-branched and bushy, rarely nearly simple, each node with paired, divergent spines (modified bracts). Leaves: ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, base attenuate, apex obtuse or subacute; petiole to 4 cm long, equaling or longer than blade. Flowers in terminal panicled spikes or in axillary, sessile clusters. Bracts and bracteoles minute, ovate-lanceolate. Male flowers: 1-2 mm across; tepals 5, calycine, unequal, ovate-lanceolate; stamens 5; anthers sagittate. Female flowers: 1-2 mm across; tepals 5, oblong, acute at apex; ovary 1-celled; ovules solitary; stigmas 2-3. Utricle circumcissile. Seeds compressed, black, shining, very faintly reticulate.

Flowering and Fruiting : June - December

Uses: It is used as a medicinal herb. The root is known as an effective diuretic. It is also used as forage and said to increase the yield of milk in cattle.

Cultivation: cultivated/wild.

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org