Forest burr
Pupalia lappacea

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It can lie along the ground or be erect. It has several stems and can be a climber or scrambler. It can keep growing for a few years. It can grow 90 cm high or scramble to 2.5 m long. It is usually hairy. The leaves are oval or rounded. They are opposite. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of the plant. They have stiff, hooked bristles. The fruit are burrs with barbs. They are 8-18 mm across. The seeds are dark brown and shiny. They are 2 mm long. There are 4 varieties.

The stems and leaves have a crude protein of 10.6-10.9%.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It suits hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It can grow from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in deserts and on beaches and near ponds and streams. It can grow in arid places. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,370 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The plant ash is used as salt.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, ash - salt, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anamani, Beesklits, Inama, Mamata, Sawnee

Synonyms

Achyranthes atropurpurea Lam.; Achyranthes lappacea L.; Achyranthes mollis Thonn.; Desmochaeta atropurpurea (Lam.) DC.; Desmochaeta flavescens DC.; Pupalia affinis Engl.; Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq.; Pupalia brachystachys Peter; Pupalia distantiflora A. Rich.; Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. var. tomentosa (Peter) Suess.; Pupalia mollis (Thonn.) Moq.; Pupalia tomentosa Peter; Pupalia velutina Moq.;