SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 159.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "159" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

devil's horsewhip

Scientific Name: Achyranthes aspera var. aspera

Family: Amaranthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Devil's Horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera)

Achyranthes aspera, commonly known as Devil's Horsewhip, is a plant with a rich history of traditional uses. It is also known as chaff-flower and prickly chaff flower. This plant belongs to the Amaranthaceae family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has thorn-like buds.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant has thorn-like buds.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Achyranthes aspera
  • Common Names: Devil's Horsewhip, chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, burweed, pululue, panga za wayuka (Kiswahili), Washerman's plant.
  • Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family, Pigweed Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Phylum: Spermatophyta
  • Subphylum:
  • Taxonomic Status: Variety, Achyranthes aspera var. aspera L.
  • Synonyms: Achyranthes aspera Linnaeus var. pubescens (Monquin-Tandon) C.C. TownsendWaif.
  • Synonyms: Achyranthes aspera var.

Distribution and Habitat

  • The origin of Devil's Horsewhip is unclear.
  • It is found in open, dry places at elevations up to 2000.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Devil's Horsewhip is a much-branched herbaceous annual to perennial plant.
  • Stems can become somewhat woody.
  • It can grow from 30 - 200cm tall.
  • Erect or ascending herbs or shrubs 0.8-4 m high, sometimes almost treelike.
  • Stems tough, becoming woody at the base.
  • Leaves opposite, simple and ovate.

Traditional Uses

  • Historically used in the Indian subcontinent for various ailments.
  • Used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatism, stomach problems, cholera, skin diseases and rabies.
  • Used to treat snake bites.
  • Esteemed by traditional healers for treating asthma, bleeding, and facilitating delivery.
  • In Jamaica, used to make tea for colic and colds.
  • Traditionally used for skin damages during stretching.

Ecological Role

  • Designated as an invasive plant in some regions.
  • USDA PLANTS Symbol: ACAS
  • U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs Shrub or Subshrub.

Resources

  • Dave's Garden
  • USDA PLANTS Database
  • Madagascar Catalogue, 2013. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missi Botanical Garden, St. Louis, U.S.A. &amp Antananarivo,
  • Plants of Hawaii by Forest and Kim Starr