Achyranthes aspera

Achyranthes aspera (common names: chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, devil's horsewhip, Sanskrit: अपामार्ग apāmārga) is a species of plant in the family Amaranthaceae. It is distributed throughout the tropical world. It can be found in many places growing as an introduced species and a common weed. It is an invasive species in some areas, including many Pacific Islands environments.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

Leaves are edible cooked and can be used as a spinach substitute. The seeds are also edible when cooked and are said to be eaten with milk to check hunger without loss of body weight. The brown, ovoid seed is about 2mm long.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves and seeds are cooked and eaten. They are boiled without salt. They are boiled or stir-fried with other spices. The ash is used for flavouring.

Medicinal Uses

One of the more important medicinal herbs of Nepal, widely used for a range of complaints. The whole plant is used medicinally, but the roots are generally considered more effective and contain triterpenoid saponins. The root is astringent, diuretic and antispasmodic, used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatism, stomach problems, cholera, skin diseases and rabies. Root juice mixed with the root of Urena lobata and the bark of Psidium guajava is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The plant overall is astringent, digestive, diuretic, laxative, purgative and stomachic. Plant juice is applied in the treatment of boils, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, rheumatic pains, itches and skin eruptions. Ash from the burnt plant, often mixed with mustard oil and a pinch of salt, is used as a tooth powder believed to relieve pyorrhoea and toothache. The leaf is emetic, and a decoction is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. A paste of the leaves is applied for rabies, nervous disorders, hysteria, and insect and snake bites.

Distribution

A tropical plant. A native plant of tropical areas. It occurs in waste places at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. It grows in northern Australia. It prefers moist well drained soils. It can grow in a partly shaded position but is most commonly in full sunshine. It is drought and frost tender. It does best in soils with high organic matter but can grow in sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. It has become common in Papua New Guinea in low altitudes in areas with seasonal climates. It Java it grows up to 300 m above sea levels. In Tanzania it grows up to 3,000 m above sea level and in areas with 700-1,300 mm rainfall.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, American Samoa, Americas, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caroline Islands, Caribbean, Central Africa, Chad, China, Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Gabon, Greater Antilles, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It is grown by seed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in spring in situ.

Other Uses

Ash from the burnt plant, often mixed with mustard oil and a pinch of salt, is used as a tooth powder for cleaning teeth. Dried twigs are used as toothbrushes. The ash of the burnt plant is a rich source of potash and is used for washing clothes.

Other Information

It is used as a famine food in a range of countries. It is not known if it is eaten in PNG. It is sold in local markets in China.

Notes

This one is used as medicine in Nepal. It has some anticancer properties. There are 6 Achyranthes species. The grow in tropical and warm temperate regions.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Aga, Aghadha, Agharda, Aghedo, Agudha, Akamaro, Amazinycenja, Ankhle, Apamarga, Apamaranga, Apang, Apangshak, Ara songsang, Arpchinjudo, Athian alur, Ato ite oryang, Bantjen, Chesirimiion, Chirchita, Co suot, Datiwan, Daun inget, Jarongan, Jercok, Kalamata, Kasita, Katalati, Kulbek, Kyet-mauk-pyan, Kyet-mauk-sue-pyan, Latjira, Layobe, Lenamo, Landklits, Lautafifi, Mukuluvhali, Naagar, Nairusedi keerai, Naukpo, Nayurivi, Nayuruvi, Ngwirisi ndi kakose, Nta basimane, Nyarang sunsang, Obhat kata, Puthkanda, Rag-ragadi, Sangketan, Sisi vao, Suga-dugodok, Tamatama, Tsipolomanitra, Tu niu xi, Tǔniúxī, Ulti hot, Umdombe, landigasepu, UtbUthareni, Uttarane, Uttaren, Uthrani soppu, Uttreni, Valiyakadaladi

References (104)

• Achigan-Dako, E. G., et al, (Eds.), 2010, Traditional vegetables in Benin. Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin. Imprimeries du CENAP, Cotonou.
• Al-Sodany, Y. M., et al, 2013, Medicinal Plants in Saudi Arabia: I. Sarrwat Mountains at Taif, KSA. Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (4): 134-145
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 10
• Bao Bojian; Steve Clemants, Thomas Borsch, Amaranthaceae [Draft], Flora of China
• Behera, K. K. et al, 2008, Wild Edible Plants of Mayurbhanj District, Orissa, India. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. Vol. 32 (Suppl,) pp 305-314

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