More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Pinks, Cactuses and Allies of Zihuatanejo
ORDER CAROPHYLLALES
Devil's Horsewhip
Achyranthes aspera
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Pinks, Cactuses, and Allies (Order Caryophyllales)
-Amaranths (Family Amaranthaceae)
-Subfamily Amaranthoideae
-Chaff Flowers (Genus Achyranthes)
-Devil's Horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera)
Devil’s Horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera), also known as Prickly Chaff Flower, is a hardy, fast-growing herbaceous plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It is well known for its medicinal properties and ability to thrive in various environments. Produces tiny, dry fruits that easily attach to animal fur and clothing, aiding in seed dispersal. Found in roadsides, open fields, wastelands, coastal regions, and disturbed areas.
Description
• Achyranthes aspera, commonly known as prickly chaff flower, is an upright herb or subshrub in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). It has rough, often hairy stems and opposite, oval to broadly lance-shaped leaves. Its small, greenish flowers grow along elongated spikes, with stiff, pointed bracts that can cling to clothing or animal fur. The plant can develop a woody base as it matures.
Range
• Achyranthes aspera is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, including Africa and Asia, and has become widely naturalized throughout the tropics, including the Americas. It grows in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• This adaptable plant grows in disturbed ground, roadsides, vacant lots, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest edges. It favours warm climates and often thrives in sunny, dry locations, including nutrient-poor soils
