Hogweed, Tar vine, Red hogweed
Boerhavia diffusa

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A weedy evergreen vine or shrub which lays over. It grows to 70 cm high. It spreads about 50-200 cm wide. The stem is slender, creeping and twining. It has a large root system. The leaves are dull green and in opposite unequal pairs. They are 1-2.5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The lower leaves are broadly oval while the upper leaves are more narrow. The edges of the leaves are wavy. The flowers are yellow and white or pink. They occur in groups of 3 at the ends of branches. They are 0.5 cm long. The fruit are about 0.4 cm long. They have glands that make them sticky. In a similar plant Boerhavia erecta the fruit are smooth and not sticky.

This plant has medicinal properties for kidney and urine conditions. There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics. Chemical composition (root): Sand (dry sample) = 0.34%; (fresh sample) = 0.17%. Silica (dry sample) = 0.22%; (fresh sample) = 0.11%. Calcium (dry sample) = 1.246%, (fresh sample) = 0.623%. Magnesium (dry sample) = 0.344%, (fresh sample) = 0.172%. Phosphorus (dry sample = 0.155^%, (fresh sample) = 0.077%. Potassium (dry sample) = 2.89%, (fresh sample) = 1.440%. Ca: 8.03. Fe: 345. Cu: 6. Mn: 20 (in ppm on dry P basis). Moisture = 50. Fibre (crude, dry sample) = 9.6%, (fresh sample) = 4.8%. Ether extract (dry sample) = 1.62%, (fresh sample) = 0.91%. Protein (crude, dry sample) = 9.1%, (fresh sample) = 4.56%. Ash (dry sample) = 8.42%, (fresh sample) = 4.21%. Carbohydrate (dry sample) = 71.2%, (fresh sample) = 35.6%. Albuminous nitrogen (dry sample) = 1.02%, (fresh sample) = 0.51%. Amido nitrogen (dry sample) = 0.44%; fresh sample) = 0.22%. Fuel value [calories] (dry sample) = 29.0, (fresh sample) = 58.0.

Where it is found

It is a warm region or tropical plant. It will grow on most soils. It is drought and frost resistant and very hardy. It does best in an open sunny position. It forms a good ground cover in dry regions. It grows throughout Nepal to about 2300 m altitude. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall above 300 mm. It can grow in arid places. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia (Not), Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chile, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Guam, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan (Ryuku), Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rotuma, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tender leaves are chopped small and then eaten cooked as a vegetable. The harvested leaves can be stored for 6-7 days. The fleshy taproot is baked and eaten. It is also eaten raw. The seeds are added to cereals. Caution: It may cause diarrhoea if eaten in large amounts.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. It is an important food in some places.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, fruit, seeds, caution, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings strike easily.

Its other names

Local names

Adegandheri, Agarra-pinto, Ama rra-pinto, Ambati kura, Anleewa, Aule sag, Batata-de-porco, Beambava, Beldroega-grande, Boduraalhu, Bredo-deporco, Bulga, Burandha gondi, Caa ruru i, Caa ruru pe, Celido nia, Dhagarphodiyu, Dibata bata, Etingel, Fendala, Ghetuli, Horse purslane, Huang xi xin, Ipecacuanha de Cayenne, Kalamatonga, Katule, Khaparfuti, Khomhin pak, Laije, Lengle, Mangalarety, M'guta, Mookkanacharana, Mookkirattai, Moradilla, Mozote morado, Mukatan kodi, Mukkarattai, Mukaratte-kirei, Ohoic arak, Patharphodiyu, Patherchatta, Pegajocilla, Pega-pinto, Punarnaba, Punarnava, Punarnava, Purnanava, Purnava, Purnonapa, Rakta punarnava, Sacha verdolaga, Samkanka, Sant, Santi, Saranathy, Sata, Satna, Serandai, Solidonia, Tagres, Tambadi vasu, Tangara, Tangaraca, Tanguara-mansa, Tedigui, Thazhuthama, Tikpeninla, Umujugurira, Vakka khaparo, Yerba tostada, Zhu er yan

Synonyms

Boerhavia repens L.; Boerhavia diffusa L. var. eudiffusa Hemimerl ex Handel-Mazzetti; Boerhavia diffusa L. var. mutabilis R.Brown; Boerhavia paniculata Lam.; Boerhavia adscendens Willd.;