Boerhavia erecta

Boerhavia erecta, commonly known as the erect spiderling or the erect boerhavia, is one of more than 100 species in the genus Boerhavia. It is native to the United States, Mexico, Central America, Angola and western South America, but now is cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical regions. In Africa its distribution extends from West Africa, eastwards to Somalia and down to South Africa. It has recently been found in parts of Madagascar and Réunion. In Asia, it occurs in India, Java, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and the Ryukyu Islands. As an adventive species Boerhavia erecta is not widely regarded as a serious weed or invasive threat; in fact its physical and pharmacological attributes suggest that it is potentially useful.

Description

A herb. It becomes a perennial weed. It can be 1 m tall and either upright or lying over. The leaf stalk is 1.5-4 cm long. The leaves are stalked, opposite, and variable in shape and size. They are 1.5-3.5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are white-grey underneath. The flowers are produced in the axils of leaves. The fruit is cone shaped. It is about 3 mm across.

Edible Uses

The young tops are eaten and used in the preparation of sauces. The tuberous roots have been recorded as edible in earlier times, though use may have been medicinal.

Traditional Uses

The young tops are eaten. They are used in the preparation of sauces. The tuberous root has been recorded as being used in earlier times. (Its use may have been for medicine.)

Medicinal Uses

Boerhavia erecta is used in traditional medicine and as a food. In West and East Africa, the leaves are eaten as a vegetable and in sauces. In the Sahel, cattle graze on its leaves.

Known Hazards

Neonatal tetanus is relatively prevalent in parts of Sudan and this plant is suspected of being a vehicle for the infection.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It mostly occurs in the coastal areas below 700 m altitude. It grows in dry, open places. It is more common in regions of seasonal rainfall. In China it grows in open sandy places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Anguilla, Asia, Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Central America*, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles*, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mexico*, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, South Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies*, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

A weed of tropical areas, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,500 metres, growing mainly in areas with seasonal rainfall. Prefers a sunny position. The plant can become a serious weed of cultivated crops. It is a common weed in several annual and perennial crops, but causes little damage.

Other Information

Leaves are sold in markets.

Notes

There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Also Known As

Burandha filaa, Cumara-sabi, Fendala, Kolo fara ni, Kuthucharana, Ndoro ni, Sabi-cura, Zhi li huang xi xin

References (22)

• Achigan-Dako, E, et al (Eds), 2009, Catalogue of Traditional Vegetables in Benin. International Foundation for Science.
• Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
• Catarino, L. et al, 2019, Edible Leafy Vegetables from West Africa (Guinea-Bissau): Consumption, Trade and Food Potential. Foods 2019, 8, 493
• Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 5

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