Spreading hogweed
Boerhavia repens

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has many branches. The branches appear each year from a thickened rhizome or underground stem. The stems are slender. They are thickened at the nodes. The leaves are in unequal pairs at each node. The leaves are 2 cm long and have glands. The flowers are in clusters or 2-6. They can be white or pink. The fruit are 3-4 mm long.

There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows throughout the tropics. It can grow in shade of fully exposed in waste lands. It grows in the Sahel in West Africa. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Kiribati, Madagascar, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Sahel, Samoa, Senegal, Southern Africa, Tuvalu, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten and are also made into curries. The seeds are eaten as a chilled porridge.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Altig, Am vasar, Anena, Babba juji, Bakhro, Beha, Behakototo, Chedul, Ghetivali, Looni booti, Lorank, Lornki, Ufi, Ufi'atuli

Synonyms

Boerhavia vulvarifolia Poir.;