Nothosaerva brachiata

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 10-45 cm high. The leaves are narrowly oval. They are 10-40 mm long by 6-20 mm wide. They taper towards the leaf stalk. The flowers are in dense spikes. The seed are about 0.4 mm across.

There is only one Nothosaerva species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in sandy depressions that occasionally contain water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a pot herb.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akkura, Dhaula phindawri

Synonyms

Achyranthes brachiata L.; Aerva brachiata (L.) Mart.; Illecebrum brachiatum (L.) L.; Pseudanthus brachiatus (L.) Wight;