Anena (Boerhavia repens, Sp. Pl.: 3 (1753))

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 3 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Boerhavia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Africa to Pacific

Description

Anena, scientifically known as Boerhavia repens, is a noteworthy species belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family. Described initially by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his work “Species Plantarum,” this plant exhibits a widespread distribution, thriving across diverse regions from Africa to the Pacific.

Anena is appreciated not only for its resilience in varied climates but also for its potential medicinal properties, which have garnered attention in traditional medicine across different cultures. Its ability to adapt and flourish in different environmental conditions makes it a subject of interest for botanical research, particularly in studies focused on plant adaptability and distribution.

The foliage of Boerhavia repens is generally characterized by its lush green leaves, which grow in a somewhat sprawling manner, allowing the plant to cover a considerable area on the ground. This growth habit can contribute to soil stabilization, reducing erosion, and supporting the local ecosystem by providing habitats for various small wildlife.

Furthermore, the flowers of Anena are modest yet vivid, often appearing in clusters that add a subtle charm to its overall appearance. These flowers play a crucial role in attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, thereby facilitating the reproduction process and supporting biodiversity within its habitat.

In summary, Boerhavia repens, commonly known as Anena, is a plant of significant botanical interest. Its broad geographical presence from Africa to the Pacific highlights its ecological versatility, while its potential medicinal uses and contributions to local ecosystems underscore its importance in both scientific research and traditional practices.

Common Names

Ita: boeravia
Eng: anena
En: Anena
Ar: خضير، خضار، مضيط, سكميت، اتهاج, مديد، رجله
Zh: Pu fu huang xi xin
He: בורהביה זוחלת
It: Boeravia

Synonyms

• Boerhavia diffusa var. eurepens (Domin)
• Boerhavia repens var. maris-indici (Fosberg)
• Boerhavia pubescens (R.Br.)
• Boerhavia repens var. glabra (Choisy)
• Boerhavia undulata (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Boerhavia repens var. pubescens ((R.Br.) Fosberg)
• Boerhavia repens var. amphilahensis (A.Terracc.)
• Boerhavia bicolor (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Boerhavia repens var. minor (Delile)
• Boerhavia cortensis (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Boerhavia angustifolia (Span.)
• Boerhavia sessiliflora (Steud.)
• Boerhavia diffusa var. vulvariifolia ((Poir.) Heimerl)
• Boerhavia sumata (Zipp. ex Span.)
• Boerhavia maroccana (Ball)
• Boerhavia suberosa (C.Sm.)
• Boerhavia vulvariifolia (Poir.)
• Boerhavia periplocifolia (Sieber ex Choisy)
• Boerhavia insularis (Bojer)
• Boerhavia surinamensis (Miq.)
• Boerhavia eglandulosa (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Dantia nubica (Lippert ex Choisy)
• Boerhavia diffusa var. sandwicensis (Heimerl)
• Boerhavia ascendens (Schumach.)
• Boerhavia diffusa var. gymnocarpa (Heimerl)
• Boerhavia repens var. viscosa (Choisy)
• Boerhavia minutiflora (Span.)
• Boerhavia tomentosa (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Boerhavia diffusa var. minor ((Delile) Cufod.)
• Boerhavia rupestris (Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.)
• Boerhavia diffusa var. pseudotetrandra (Heimerl)

Distribution

• Aldabra (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Chagos Archipelago (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Libya (native)
• Line Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marcus I. (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique Channel I (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South Australia (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Wake I. (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by pedonev (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by Aristide ZOUNG (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Lalu Achmad Tatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Lalu Achmad Tatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2020 by Gonzalez Moreno Alberto (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 16, 2008 by EOL − David Eickhoff (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Sep 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2017 by Chris Wong (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken May 16, 2008 by EOL − David Eickhoff (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 12, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Florian FRAIX-BAVUZ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© 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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:604264-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086288)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Boerhavia repens L.)

Specifications

Growth