Tarvine
Boerhavia coccinea

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can lie along the ground and be spreading. It can grow for one year or keep growing from year to year. It grows 0.1-1 m high. It can spread 2 m wide. The leaves are opposite and broadly triangle shaped. They are pale green. The flowers are pink. They are on long stalks.

There are about 40 Boerhavia species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics. The roots are used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow from tropical to warm temperate places. It grows on sandy soils, clay and alluvium. It can grow in arid places. It also grows along rivers in forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central America, China, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico, Middle East, Nigeria, North America, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Socotra, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked in soups.

Edible parts

Root, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cumara-sabi, Ennende, Fendala, Kofel guelodi, Lamata, Puunpa

Synonyms

Boerhavia caribaea Jacq.; Boerhavia hirsuta L.; Boerhavia viscosa Lag. & Rodr.;