Boerhavia erecta
Boerhavia erecta, called the erect spiderling, is a small perennial herb in the Boerhavia family. It is one of more than 100 Boerhavia species. It originally grows in parts of the United States, Mexico, Central America, Angola and western South America, but today it lives in warm tropical and subtropical areas around the world. In Africa it is found from West Africa to Somalia and South Africa, with newer sightings in Madagascar and Réunion. It also occurs in parts of Asia, including India, Java, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and the Ryukyu Islands. It is not usually a serious weed and may have useful properties.
The plant has 2n = 52 chromosomes. It is similar to Boerhavia diffusa but stands upright with straight stems, pink and white flowers, and smooth, flat fruits. It can survive grazing and fire because it sends up new shoots from buds at the base. Stems reach about 60 cm tall and are 3–5 mm thick. They are green, sometimes with purple, and the upper part may be slightly hairy; the base is smooth and woody. Leaves are fleshy, opposite and of different sizes, about a few centimeters long and wide, with a short stalk. The upper surface is green and hairy; the underside is pale, often with purplish edges.
It flowers from early summer to mid autumn. The flower clusters are small, with 2–6 tiny flowers at the top of each stalk. Flowers are tiny, pink and cream, with a small bell-shaped five-petal corolla. The fruits are small, circular and flat, five-ribbed and smooth; when ripe they are sticky and spread by people and animals.
Uses: leaves are eaten as a vegetable and used in sauces in parts of Africa; cattle graze the leaves in the Sahel. The plant grows in many places, including wasteland and roadsides, and is not a major invasive problem. Scientists study its potential uses, including medicine.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:21 (CET).