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aerva
Scientific Name: Aerva lanata
Family: Amaranthaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Aerva: A Botanical Overview
The genus Aerva encompasses a variety of plant species within the Amaranthaceae family. This overview provides insights into the taxonomy, distribution, morphology, and uses of Aerva, drawing from various sources.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Aerva species are described as woody or succulent.
- Certain species have been noted to be hairy.
Scientific Classification and Nomenclature
- Genus: Aerva
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Taxonomic Rank: Genus
- Synonyms/Alternative Names:
- Specific species within the genus may have synonyms. For example:
- Aerva lanata is also known as Taba-ahas.
- Examples of Species:
- Aerva madagassica Suess.
- Aerva microphylla Moq.
- Aerva revoluta Balf.f.
- Aerva sericea Moq.
- Aerva lanata (L.) A. L. Juss. ex Schultes
- Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schult.
- Aerva leucura
- Aerva persica
- Aerva tomentosa Forssk.
Common Names
- Aerva lanata: Mountain Knotgrass, Polpala, Bui
- Aerva javanica: Java aerva
- Aerva leucura: Aambeibossie
Distribution and Habitat
- Aerva lanata is native to Asia and Africa.
- Aerva javanica is relatively widespread across northern Australia.
- Specific locations mentioned include:
- Salem, Tamil Nadu, India (where Aerva lanata leaves were collected)
- Naukluft (location of an Aerva leucura observation)
- Aerva species can be found in wild, desert areas and tropical and subtropical dry areas.
Ecological Role
- Aerva javanica (Kapok Bush) has recently been regarded as a serious environmental weed in northern Australia.
Morphological Characteristics
- Aerva lanata is a woody, prostrate or succulent, perennial herb, or an erect or prostrate undershrub with a long tap-root.
- Aerva javanica is a perennial semi-shrubby plant.
- General characteristics include alternate leaves and inflorescences consisting of axillary and terminal bracteate spikes that are densely white-woolly.
- Aerva leucura gives a reliable show in the herbaceous border from summer to autumn.
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Aerva lanata is a medicinal herb, and is mainly used as a raw material for medicines.
- Aerva javanica is traditionally used for the treatment of wound healings, cough, diarrhoea, ulcer and hyperglycaemia.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Aerva lanata seeds have been studied for antihelmentic activity.
Further Information
- IUCN Red List: Aerva revoluta (http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44754A10946301.en)
- Tropicos: Genus: Aerva. Family: Amaranthaceae. Nomen number: 101478. Place of publication: Syst. veg. 5:565. 1819 (A. L. Jussieu, Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 2:131.
- USDA Plants Database: General Information. Symbol: AERVA. Group: Dicot. Family: Amaranthaceae. Duration: Growth Habit: Native Status: HI N. Data Sce and Documentation
- Wikimedia Commons: Aerva on Wikimedia Commons