Chaff-flower, Rough chaff tree
Achyranthes aspera

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

This one is used as medicine in Nepal. It has some anticancer properties. There are 6 Achyranthes species. The grow in tropical and warm temperate regions.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A native plant of tropical areas. It occurs in waste places at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. It grows in northern Australia. It prefers moist well drained soils. It can grow in a partly shaded position but is most commonly in full sunshine. It is drought and frost tender. It does best in soils with high organic matter but can grow in sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. It has become common in Papua New Guinea in low altitudes in areas with seasonal climates. It Java it grows up to 300 m above sea levels. In Tanzania it grows up to 3,000 m above sea level and in areas with 700-1,300 mm rainfall.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, American Samoa, Americas, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caroline Islands, Caribbean, Central Africa, Chad, China, Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Gabon, Greater Antilles, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and seeds are cooked and eaten. They are boiled without salt. They are boiled or stir-fried with other spices. The ash is used for flavouring.

It is used as a famine food in a range of countries. It is not known if it is eaten in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aga, Aghadha, Agharda, Aghedo, Agudha, Akamaro, Amazinycenja, Ankhle, Apamarga, Apamaranga, Apang, Apangshak, Ara songsang, Arpchinjudo, Athian alur, Ato ite oryang, Bantjen, Chesirimiion, Chirchita, Co suot, Datiwan, Daun inget, Jarongan, Jercok, Kalamata, Kasita, Katalati, Kulbek, Kyet-mauk-pyan, Kyet-mauk-sue-pyan, Latjira, Layobe, Lenamo, Landklits, Lautafifi, Mukuluvhali, Naagar, Nairusedi keerai, Naukpo, Nayurivi, Nayuruvi, Ngwirisi ndi kakose, Nta basimane, Nyarang sunsang, Obhat kata, Puthkanda, Rag-ragadi, Sangketan, Sisi vao, Suga-dugodok, Tamatama, Tsipolomanitra, Tu niu xi, Tǔniúxī, Ulti hot, Umdombe, landigasepu, UtbUthareni, Uttarane, Uttaren, Uthrani soppu, Uttreni, Valiyakadaladi

Synonyms

Achyranthes canescens R.Br.; Achyranthes robusta C. H. Wright; and others