Achyranthes aspera - Apamarga, Devil's horsewhip

chaff-flower

Achyranthes aspera is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is distributed throughout the tropical world. It can be found in many places growing as an introduced species and a common weed. It is an invasive species in some areas, including many Pacific Islands environments.

Uses

body aches, Post-abortion pain, Costodynia, jaundice, Post- partal fever, Anorexia, Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Menoxenia, Leucorrhoea, Habitual abortion.

Parts Used

seeds, Roots.

Chemical Composition

Roots contains: triterpenoid saponins, betaine, achyranthine, hentriacontane, ecdysterone and two glycosides of oleanolic acid. Seeds: amino acids.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Uttaranee
Hindi	Chirchita, Latjira
Malayalam	Kadaladi, Katalati
Tamil	Nayurivi, Shiru-kadaladi
Telugu	Antisha, Apamargamu, Uttareni
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Apamarga
English	Prickly Chaff Flower, Chaff-flower, Crocus stuff

Habit

A wild, perennial, erect herb)

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
simple	Elliptic-obovate	Leaf Apex is Obtuse-acute, Leaf Base is Cuneate and Leaf Margin is Entire.

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	2-4cm long	yellowish-white		Flowering throughout the year and In terminal or axillary spikes

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
urticle	falling off with bracteoles and perianths		seed solitary	Fruiting throughout the year	{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Cultivated as a food crop in China. A very variable specie.

Commonly seen growing in areas

tropical.

Photo Gallery

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  White variety of seeds.

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  Abrus precatorius leaves and flowers

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  Abrus precatorius flowers

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  Abrus precatorius seeds

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