Boerhavia diffusa is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family, called red spiderling, spreading hogweed, or tarvine. It is taken in herbal medicine for pain relief and other uses. The leaves of Boerhavia diffusa are often used as a green vegetable in many parts of India.
Description
Fruit of B. diffusa stuck to face of juvenile sooty tern
Boerhavia diffusa is widely dispersed, occurring throughout India (where it is known as punarnava and used in Ayurveda,), the Pacific, and southern United States. Flowers are small, around 5 mm in diameter. Pollens are round, roughly 65 microns in diameter.
Pollen
This wide range is explained by its small fruit, which are very sticky and grow a few inches off the ground, ideally placed to latch on to small migratory birds as they walk by.
Habit
A creeping, perennial, much-branched herb with stout fusi form roots.
Stem
Branches divaricate, stem purplish, thickened at nodes.
Leaves
Opposite, oblique, ovate or sub orbicular, rounded, entire, margins slightly pinkish, wavy, lower surface with small, white scales, base rounded.
Inflorescence
Small umbels forming Corymbose, axillary and terminal panicle.
Flowers
Bracteoles, acute. Perianth -tube constricted above the ovary, limb funnel-shaped, dark-pink, with 5 vertical bands outside.
Stamens 2 or 3, slightly exserted, unequal.
Ovary superior, oblique, ovule 1, erect, stigma.
Fruit
Achene rounded, 6-ribbed.
Seed
Minute, albuminous with endosperm. Embryo curved.
Distribution
A true and accurate accounting of the native range of Boerhavia diffusa has not been determined. However, it is very widespread, and has become naturalized in many places. It is believed to be a native plant to the following places in:
Africa —
Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa (Eastern Cape,...
