Home | > | List of families | > | Nyctaginaceae | > | Boerhavia | > | diffusa |
Synonyms: |
Boerhavia adscendens Willd. Boerhavia paniculata Rich. Boerhavia repens L. var. diffusa (L.) Hook.f. |
Common names: | Tarvine (English) |
Frequency: | Common, at least at middle and lower altitudes |
Status: | Possibly introduced |
Description: |
Spreading perennial herb. Stems decumbent or ascending, much-branched from the base, glabrous or puberulous but with longer hairs, particularly at the nodes. Leaves ovate, elliptic to subcircular, glabrous except for longer hairs on the veins below and margins. Inflorescences terminal, lax, greatly elongated and diffusely branched. Flowers usually in clusters of 2-10, whitish, pink, carmine or purple. Stamens and style c. 2 mm long, slightly exerted. Fruits c. 3.5 mm long, clavate with a rounded apex, glandular pubescent. |
Notes: | See B. erecta for comparison. |
Derivation of specific name: | diffusa: diffuse, loosely spreading, referring to the inflorescence |
Habitat: | A weed of disturbed places. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 360 - 1550 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | A pantropical weed |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Monday 12 June 2006 |
Literature: |
Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 280. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 64. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 89. Stannard, B.L. (1988). Nyctaginaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 21 - 23. (Includes a picture). Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 37. (Includes a picture). |
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