Boerhavia

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Boerhavia
Boerhavia diffusa in AP W IMG 8081.jpg
Boerhavia diffusa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Tribe: Nyctagineae
Genus: Boerhavia
L.
Species

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Boerhavia is a genus of over 100 species in the Nyctaginaceae family. The genus was named for Herman Boerhaave, a Dutch botanist, and the genus name is frequently misspelled "Boerhaavia". Common names include spiderlings and hogweeds.

Contents

Taxonomy

There are over 100 species in the genus Boerhavia, which is in the family Nyctaginaceae, which includes the four o'clock flower. [1]

The genus was named for the Dutch botanist Herman Boerhaave, and often misspelt as "Boerhaavia". Common names include spiderlings and hogweeds.[ citation needed ]

Description

Some species are annuals and others perennials. In habit they generally are herbaceous.

"Spiderling" refers to the appearance of those species that bear inflorescences on numerous long, slender stems, interlocking in a manner suggestive of a spider or spider's web.

Boerhavia species generally are native to warm tropical regions.

Significance

Several species of Boerhavia are of importance as agricultural and horticultural weeds. Some are valued as forage for grazing livestock, and some, such as Boerhavia erecta , also are of use as human food and folk medicine.[ citation needed ]

Selected species

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Boerhavia erecta, commonly known as the erect spiderling or the erect boerhavia, is one of more than 100 species in the genus Boerhavia L. Boerhavia erecta is native to the United States, Mexico, Central America and western South America, but now is cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical regions. In Africa its distribution extends from West Africa, eastwards to Somalia and down to South Africa. It has recently been found in parts of Madagascar and Réunion. In Asia, it occurs in India, Java, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and the Ryukyu Islands.

References

  1. "Search [boerhavia]". World Flora Online. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. "Boerhavia tetrandra G.Forst". World Flora Online. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. "Flora of Australia Online [search results]". Australian National Botanic Gardens - Botanical Web Portal. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  4. "Boerhavia tetrandra G.Forst". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. 1 September 1989. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  5. "Boerhavia tetrandra G.Forst". PlantNET: New South Wales Flora Online. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  6. "Boerhavia tetrandra". Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  7. Ellison, Joanna C. (September 1998). "Natural History Of Bramble Cay, Torres Strait" (PDF). Atoll Research Bulletin No. 455. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2009.