Aerva lanata (L.) A.L. Juss. ex Schultes
Family
Amaranthaceae
Synonyms
Achyranthes lanata L., Illecebrum lanatum (L.) L., Achyranthes villosa Forssk.
Vernacular Names
|
Indonesia |
Katumpangan uler, rumput upas-upasan. |
|
Philippines |
Tabangahas, apugapugan, pamaynap (Tagalog), karlatan (Iloko). |
|
Vietnam |
Mao v[ix] l[oo]ng. |
Geographical Distributions
Aerva lanata is found in Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles and other islands in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia from Arabia to India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China and Malaysia (Sumatra, Bangka, Java, the Philippines, Timor, the Aru Islands and southern and south-eastern New Guinea).
Description
Aerva lanata is a perennial, erect herb that can reach up to 110 cm tall. The main branches and the upper part of the stem are often unbranched for a considerable length. The internodes are usually shorter than 2 cm.
The leaves are arranged alternate, ovate-elliptical to obovate and measuring 0.5-5 cm x 0.3-3 cm. The spikes are up to 2.5 cm long. The tepals are 1-1.5 mm long and with 2 spreading stigmas.
The fruiting spike easily breaks up.
Ecology / Cultivation
Aerva lanata is locally common along roadsides, in abandoned fields and waste places, and up to 100 m altitude in Java.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
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Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12(1): Medicinal and poisonous plants 1.
