Aerva lanata

Aerva lanata in Kenya, photo © by Michael Plagens

In a temporary stream drainage near Lake Baringo, Kenya, Africa. October 2016.

FLOWERS: The flowers are small and papery and are arranged in numerous, short, tightly-packed spikes.

LEAVES: Alternate to opposite leaves are elliptic. The newer growth, leaves and stems, are whitish with scaly hairs.

RANGE: This plant is native to Africa and Asia, but is probably more widely distributed because of purported medicinal properties.

SUBSHRUB: Slightly woody and slightly succulent with spreading to prostrate stems.

FRUIT: Small capsules with one seed in each.

UNARMED.

Amaranthaceae -- Amaranth Family

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, Created on 18 January 2017.