Scientific Name
Achyranthes aspera L.
Synonyms
A. indica (L.) Mill.
Family
Amaranthaceae
Local Name
Phothkanda,Chirchita
Habit Habitat
A perennial erect, simple to branched herb, up to 30-120 cm tall, commonly found along road sides and open sunny places of sub-tropical zone.
Taxonomic Features
Stem 4-angled, ribbed, stiff with thick nodes. Leaves simple, elliptic-oblong or oval with acute tip, densely haired. Inflorescence at first dense, elongating 8-35cm. Flower, zygomorphic, bisexual, sessile. Perianthwhitish or pale green to red or purple. Fruit a capsule. Seed sub cylindrical, smooth and reddish brown.
Flowering Fruiting
July-December
Harvesting Time
August-December
Medicinal Value
Useful in asthma, cough, dropsy, cholera, spleen enlargement, stomach and skin disorders, menorrhagia, boils and skin eruptions.Locally infusion of whole is used as blood purifier, diuretic and kidney stone breaker. Ash of burnt plant is useful in asthma and piles.
Parts Used
Whole plant.
Future Prospective
Cultivation, Herbal pharmacy.
Plant Images
Achyranthes aspera L.