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devil's horsewhip

Scientific Name: Achyranthes aspera var. pubescens

Family: Amaranthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       
Devil\'s Horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera)

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is known to have \"thorn like buds.\"

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is known to have \"thorn like buds.\"

Quirky Facts

  • Devil\'s Horsewhip has been used since time immemorial in the Indian subcontinent for a number of ailments.
  • In Jamaica, it\'s used to make tea for colic and colds, where it is also known as RIDINGWHIP or BACKBONE COLIC WEED.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Achyranthes aspera L.
  • 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
  • Phylum: Spermatophyta
  • Subphylum:
  • Synonyms: Achyranthes aspera var. pubescens (Monquin-Tandon) C.C. Townsend (Note: The provided text indicates this is a synonym for Achyranthes aspera var. * - Non-native. It\'s likely the intention was for this to be a subspecies.)
  • Taxonomic Status: Variety, Achyranthes aspera var. aspera L.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Origin is unclear.
  • Found in open dry places at elevations up to 2000 m.
  • Reportedly found near gravel roads, even near landfills.
  • Locations include the Indian subcontinent and Jamaica.

Ecological Role

  • In some regions, it is considered an exotic and potentially invasive species.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Erect or ascending herb or shrub, ranging from 0.8 to 4 meters high.
  • Stems are tough and become woody at the base.
  • Leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate.
  • Has \"thorn like buds\".
  • Much-branched herbaceous annual to perennial plant with stems that can become somewhat woody.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatism, stomach problems, cholera, skin diseases, rabies, and snake bites.
  • Esteemed by traditional healers and used in treatment of asthma, bleeding, and in facilitating delivery.
  • Traditionally used for skin damages during stretching.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The plant is noted to grow near \"vulture-friendly\" landfills, suggesting a potential association with scavengers.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database (Symbol: ACAS)
  • Plants of Hawaii (Images and information for Achyranthes aspera var. aspera)
  • Madagascar Catalogue, 2013. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar. Missi Botanical Garden, St. Louis, U.S.A. &amp Antananarivo.
  • Dave\'s Garden (community forum)