Boerhavia

Boerhavia
Boerhavia diffusa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Tribe: Nyctagineae
Genus: Boerhavia
L.
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Axia Lour.
  • Dantia Lippert ex Choisy

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.

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

Main article: List of Boerhavia species

Species include:

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boerhavia.
  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.


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