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HerbWildPerennialMedicinal

Achyranthes aspera L.

Phut kanda
Synonyms: Achyranthes argentea Lam.; Achyranthes indica Mill

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Description

Achyranthes aspera is an erect to ascending perennial herb or undershrub, usually 30–100 cm tall, with stout, quadrangular, branched stems that are sparsely to densely pubescent. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate to broadly elliptic, with entire margins and an acute to obtuse apex; both surfaces are softly hairy, particularly beneath. Inflorescences are long, slender terminal and axillary spikes composed of numerous small, greenish-white flowers subtended by persistent, spine-tipped bracts and bracteoles. Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic, with five scarious tepals and five fertile stamens alternating with fringed staminodes. The ovary is superior and develops into a small, indehiscent utricle enclosed by the persistent perianth. Seeds are smooth, glossy, dark brown to black, and are readily dispersed by the hooked bracts, which adhere to animals and clothing.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Erect herb with quadrangular, pubescent stems and opposite, softly hairy ovate leaves.
Floral
Long terminal spikes bearing numerous greenish-white flowers with persistent, spine-tipped bracts.
Fruit & Seed
Small indehiscent utricle enclosed within persistent bracts that facilitate dispersal by attachment to animals.

Distribution

Native range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa.

Introduced range: Widely naturalized in Australia, the Americas, and other tropical and subtropical regions.

In Pakistan: Widespread throughout Pakistan, from plains to lower montane regions.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: July to December Fruiting: August to February

Ethnobotany & Uses

Traditional Medicine
Widely used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, and for treating cough, asthma, dysentery, urinary disorders, skin diseases, wounds, and rheumatism.
Other Uses
Young shoots are occasionally used as fodder. The plant has attracted considerable pharmacological interest owing to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

The specific epithet aspera refers to the rough texture of the inflorescence produced by the persistent, spine-tipped bracts. Achyranthes aspera is the most widespread species of the genus in Pakistan and is readily recognized by its quadrangular stems, opposite pubescent leaves, and long, slender spikes with hooked fruits that adhere to clothing and animal fur.