Family: Nyctaginaceae
Author: Mill.
Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8. n. 4. 1768
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Boerhavia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
Red spiderling, known scientifically as Boerhavia coccinea, is a plant commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions across the Americas. Described and cataloged by Mill. in the Garden Dictionary, 8th edition, entry number 4, in the year 1768, this plant belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family, a diverse family primarily comprising herbaceous plants.
Boerhavia coccinea thrives in various habitats, ranging from dry, arid fields to more moist and temperate environments, showcasing its adaptability and resilience. Its prevalence across such a wide geographical range highlights its ecological versatility, making it a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike.
The common name ‘Red spiderling’ derives from its distinctive appearance. The plant features small, delicate flowers that are typically a striking shade of red or deep pink, standing out vividly against its surrounding greenery. These blossoms are not just eye-catching; they also play a significant role in the local ecosystem, providing nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
In addition to its ornamental appeal and ecological importance, Red spiderling is recognized for its medicinal properties in various traditional practices. Across different cultures, parts of the plant have been utilized for their purported health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. However, while traditional uses of the plant are well-documented, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using any part of the plant medicinally.
In a landscape setting, Boerhavia coccinea is appreciated for its ground-covering abilities, making it useful for erosion control and as a weed suppressant. Its hardy nature means that it requires minimal maintenance once established, making it an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping projects.
In summary, the Red spiderling is more than just an attractive plant; it is a vital part of its native habitats. With its impressive adaptability, ecological contributions, and cultural significance, Boerhavia coccinea stands out as an intriguing subject for both scientific study and practical applications in horticulture and traditional medicine.
Common Names
Eng: scarlet spiderling, hogweed, red spiderling, hog meat, hog meat bush, potta potta
Por: erva-tostão
Spa: hierba de la hormiga, hierba del cancer, mata pavo, tostón, yerba de puerco
En: Red spiderling, Scarlet spiderling, Hogweed, Hog Meat, Hog Meat Bush, Potta Potta
Zh: Hong xi xin, 紅花黃細心
Fr: Boerhaavie diffuse
Pt: Erva-tostão
Es: Hierba de la hormiga, Hierba del cancer, Tostón, Mata pavo, Yerba de puerco
Zh-tw: 紅花黃細心
Synonyms
- Boerhavia obtusifolia (Lam.)
- Boerhavia hirsuta (Jacq.)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. paniculata (Kuntze)
- Boerhavia adscendens var. pubescens (Choisy)
- Boerhavia nantocana (Schauer)
- Boerhavia coccinea var. pubescens ((Choisy) Cufod.)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. undulata ((Asch. & Schweinf.) Cufod.)
- Boerhavia reboudiana (Pomel)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. hirsuta (Heimerl)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. obtusifolia (Choisy)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. viscosa ((Lag. & Rodr.) Heimerl)
- Boerhavia diffusa f. crassifolia (Domin)
- Boerhavia coccinea f. parcehirsuta (Heimerl)
- Boerhavia coccinea var. paniculata ((Kuntze) Moscoso)
- Boerhavia coccinea var. viscosa ((Lag. & Rodr.) Moscoso)
- Boerhavia viscosa subsp. apiculata (Standl.)
- Boerhavia patula (Dombey ex Vahl)
- Boerhavia glandulosa (Andersson)
- Boerhavia viscosa f. oligadena (Heimerl)
- Boerhavia marlothii (Heimerl)
- Boerhavia agglutinans (Batt. & Trab.)
- Boerhavia repens subsp. viscosa ((Lag. & Rodr.) Maire)
- Boerhavia diffusa (Sw.)
- Boerhavia ixodes (Standl.)
- Boerhavia bracteata (T.Cooke)
- Boerhavia repens var. undulata (Asch. & Schweinf.)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. xerophila (Domin)
- Boerhavia squamata (Raf.)
- Boerhavia ramulosa (M.E.Jones)
- Boerhavia caribaea (Jacq.)
- Boerhavia diffusa var. hirta (Balle)
- Boerhavia sonorae (Rose)
- Boerhavia polymorpha (Rich.)
- Boerhavia viscosa (Lag. & Rodr.)
Distribution
- Arizona (native)
- Aruba (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- California (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Texas (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Botswana (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Burkina (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Chad (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Egypt (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Mali (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Mauritania (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Namibia (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Niger (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Oman (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- Sicilia (introduced)
- Sierra Leone (introduced)
- Sinai (introduced)
- Somalia (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Swaziland (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
- Zambia (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 9, 2021 by Palmerita_ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2021 by bridget marquez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Pierre Agnola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2019 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Iberite (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Pierre Agnola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2019 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2021 by Mariaan Vorster (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2020 by Abdelnor Kahlyne (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2021 by Eva Martin (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 17, 2014 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Pierre Agnola (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 17, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 27, 2019 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 11, 2016 by EOL − Tony Palmer (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 11, 2016 by EOL − Tony Palmer (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Diana (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086287)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326873-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Boerhavia coccinea Mill.)