Hogweed, Pigweed
Boerhavia erecta
Family: Nyctaginaceae
What it is like
A herb. It becomes a perennial weed. It can be 1 m tall and either upright or lying over. The leaf stalk is 1.5-4 cm long. The leaves are stalked, opposite, and variable in shape and size. They are 1.5-3.5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are white-grey underneath. The flowers are produced in the axils of leaves. The fruit is cone shaped. It is about 3 mm across.
There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It mostly occurs in the coastal areas below 700 m altitude. It grows in dry, open places. It is more common in regions of seasonal rainfall. In China it grows in open sandy places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Anguilla, Asia, Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mexico (country/location of origin), Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), South Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young tops are eaten. They are used in the preparation of sauces. The tuberous root has been recorded as being used in earlier times. (Its use may have been for medicine.)
Leaves are sold in markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Burandha filaa, Cumara-sabi, Fendala, Kolo fara ni, Kuthucharana, Ndoro ni, Sabi-cura, Zhi li huang xi xin