Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Genus:
Species:
purpurascens
ID:
568720

Status:
valid

Authors:
A.Gray

Source:
cmp

Year:
1853

Citation Micro:
Amer. J. Sci. Arts , ser. 2, 15: 321 (1853)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000568052

Common Names

  • Boerhavia purpurascens
  • Purple Spiderling
  • Pale Spiderling

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Description

Boerhavia purpurascens (also called Purple Hogweed, Purple Spiderling, and many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to India and Southeast Asia. It has small, purple flowers and grey-green leaves that form a rosette at the base of the plant. It grows in dry, sandy soils and is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and fields.

Uses & Benefits

Boerhavia purpurascens is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, skin diseases, and urinary tract infections. It is also used as a soil conditioner and to promote soil fertility.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Boerhavia purpurascens is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seeds are small, black, and round. The seedlings are small, with long, slender stems and small, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Boerhavia purpurascens is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant annual that can be grown from seed. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed, which should be sown in spring or early summer. The seed should be lightly covered with soil and kept moist until germination occurs. The seedlings should be thinned to a spacing of about 30 cm (12 in) apart.

Where to Find Boerhavia purpurascens

Boerhavia purpurascens is found in India and Sri Lanka.

Boerhavia purpurascens FAQ

What is the scientific name of Boerhavia purpurascens?

Boerhavia purpurascens

What is the common name of Boerhavia purpurascens?

Purple Spiderling

What is the natural habitat of Boerhavia purpurascens?

Boerhavia purpurascens is found in dry, sandy soils in tropical and subtropical regions.

Species in the Boerhavia genus

Boerhavia hualienensis, Boerhavia acutifolia, Boerhavia africana, Boerhavia alamasona, Boerhavia alata, Boerhavia albiflora, Boerhavia ambigua, Boerhavia angustifolia, Boerhavia anisophylla, Boerhavia arabica, Boerhavia australis, Boerhavia boissieri, Boerhavia bracteosa, Boerhavia brandegeei, Boerhavia burbidgeana, Boerhavia capitata, Boerhavia chinensis, Boerhavia chrysantha, Boerhavia ciliata, Boerhavia coccinea, Boerhavia cordobensis, Boerhavia coulteri, Boerhavia crassifolia, Boerhavia crispa, Boerhavia crispifolia, Boerhavia decipiens, Boerhavia deserticola, Boerhavia diandra, Boerhavia dichotoma, Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia discolor, Boerhavia elegans, Boerhavia erecta, Boerhavia fallacissima, Boerhavia fistulosa, Boerhavia gardneri, Boerhavia glabrata, Boerhavia glandulosa, Boerhavia gracillima, Boerhavia graminicola, Boerhavia grandiflora, Boerhavia greenwayi, Boerhavia heimerlii, Boerhavia helenae, Boerhavia herbstii, Boerhavia hereroensis, Boerhavia heronensis, Boerhavia hiranensis, Boerhavia hirsuta, Boerhavia hitchcockii,

Species in the Nyctaginaceae family

Abronia alba, Abronia alpina, Abronia ameliae, Abronia ammophila, Abronia angustifolia, Abronia argillosa, Abronia bigelovii, Abronia bolackii, Abronia carnea, Abronia crux-maltae, Abronia elliptica, Abronia fragrans, Abronia gracilis, Abronia latifolia, Abronia macrocarpa, Abronia maritima, Abronia mellifera, Abronia micrantha, Abronia minor, Abronia nana, Abronia nealleyi, Abronia parviflora, Abronia pogonantha, Abronia turbinata, Abronia umbellata, Abronia villosa, Abronia insularis, Abronia neurophylla, Abronia platyphylla, Abronia variabilis, Acleisanthes acutifolia, Acleisanthes angustifolia, Acleisanthes anisophylla, Acleisanthes chenopodioides, Acleisanthes crassifolia, Acleisanthes diffusa, Acleisanthes lanceolata, Acleisanthes longiflora, Acleisanthes nana, Acleisanthes nevadensis, Acleisanthes obtusa, Acleisanthes palmeri, Acleisanthes parvifolia, Acleisanthes purpusiana, Acleisanthes somalensis, Acleisanthes undulata, Acleisanthes wrightii, Allionia choisyi, Allionia incarnata, Allionia viscida,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2678754: Based on the initial data import
Asa Gray (1810-1888): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'A.Gray' in the authors string.