Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Amaranthaceae
Achyranthes aspera L.
English name: Prickly-Chaff-flower.
Local name: Sindhi- Ubat, Kandri, wan ghaa, Urdu-
Putkhanda, Agara,
Punjabi-
Kulri.
Description:
A perennial, erect or geniculately much branched herb about 1 m high, leaves
opposite ovate or ob-ovate to elliptic, greenish-white or purplish-pink flowers in long
terminal spikes, fruits cylindrical round at the base, seeds brownish. Propagates by
Seeds.
Flowering Period:
June to October and fruiting from July to December.
Habitat:
Common in open and moist places, roadsides and near to
agricultural field.
Uses:
Parts of whole plant is used, root is used to treat diarrhea,
dysentery, stomach troubles, cholera and skin diseases.
Also used as fodder, Paste of leaves is applied on insect
bite. The plant is used to reclamation of wastelands, the
whole plant body used in religious ceremonies in India,
seeds cooked and eaten rich in protein.
Distribution:
Apparentlythecommonestandmost widespreadfromthe
speciesinPakistan,asitoccursthroughouttheIndian
sub-continent.
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