SafePlants

Considerations for Pets

• Achyranthes aspera is commonly called "prickly chaff flower," which suggests the presence of prickly or sharp features.

Considerations for Children

• Achyranthes aspera is commonly called "prickly chaff flower," which suggests the presence of prickly or sharp features.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Achyranthes aspera
• Common Names: Chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, devil's horsewhip
• Sanskrit Name: apamarga (&#2309&#2346&#2366&#2350&#2366&#2352&#2381&#2327)
• Family: Amaranthaceae (for Achyranthes aspera, Achyranthes japonica, and Achyranthes atollensis)

• Achyranthes japonica, also known as Japanese Chaff Flower (Hangul: &#49632&#47924&#47502), is a perennial.
• Achyranthes atollensis, also called atoll achyranthes or Hawai&#699i chaff flower, is also in the Amaranthaceae family.

Distribution and Habitat

• Achyranthes aspera grows in fields and waste lands.
• Achyranthes atollensis was endemic to Hawai&#699i.
• Achyranthes japonica is native to eastern and southeastern Asia.

Ecological Role

• Achyranthes japonica (Japanese Chaff Flower) is considered invasive and can invade a wide variety of habitats.

Morphological Characteristics

• Achyranthes aspera is an erect or prostrate herb, annual or perennial, often with a woody base, which grows to about 1 meter.
• Achyranthes japonica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It flowers from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October.

Traditional Uses

• The plant has been mentioned in manuscripts of Ayurveda and Chinese medicines. In Ayurveda, two varieties, red and white, are mentioned. Leaves, root, and the whole plant are used in various Ayurvedic preparations.
• Apamarga (Prickly Chaff Flower) is used for medicinal purposes, especially as a diuretic, and in obstetrics and gynecology.