Erect spiderling (Boerhavia erecta, Sp. Pl. 1:3 1753)

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl. 1:3 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Boerhavia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

The Erect Spiderling, known scientifically as Boerhavia erecta, is a fascinating plant notable for its resilience and widespread presence in various environments. Originally described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant is a member of the Nyctaginaceae family, which includes a variety of species known for their beauty and adaptability.

Geographically, the Erect Spiderling thrives predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the Americas. Its ability to grow in diverse and challenging conditions makes it a common sight in many landscapes within these regions.

The plant’s structure is characterized by its upright, or “erect,” growth habit, which is a distinctive feature contributing to both its common name and scientific nomenclature. With a delicate yet robust appearance, Boerhavia erecta often attracts the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike due to its unique morphology and the ecological role it plays within its habitat.

In addition to its botanical allure, the Erect Spiderling is of particular interest in ecological studies and horticulture. Its adaptability to different climates and soil types makes it an excellent subject for research on plant resilience and environmental adaptation. Moreover, it is often valued for its potential medicinal properties, as plants in the Nyctaginaceae family have historically been used in various traditional remedies.

In summary, Boerhavia erecta or the Erect Spiderling is a remarkable example of botanical resilience and ecological versatility, rooted in the rich plant life of the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. Its enduring presence since its classification in the 18th century continues to underscore its significance in both natural and scientific communities.

Common Names

Por: amarra-pinto
Eng: erect spiderling, hogmeat
En: Erect spiderling, Hogmeat
Zh: Zhi li huang xi xin, 直立黃細心, 直立黄细心
Fr: Boerhaavie dressée
Pt: Amarra-pinto
Pt-br: Falso-pega-pinto
Zh-tw: 直立黃細心
Te: అడవి మామెన
Zh-hant: 直立黃細心

Synonyms

• Valeriana latifolia (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Boerhavia thornberi (M.E.Jones)
• Boerhavia paniculata var. subacuta (Choisy)
• Boerhavia elongata (Salisb.)
• Boerhavia virgata (Kunth)
• Boerhavia discolor (Kunth)
• Boerhavia erecta f. subepunctata (Heimerl)
• Boerhavia lateriflora (Standl.)
• Boerhavia atomaria (Raf.)
• Senkenbergia erecta ((L.) Hook.f.)
• Boerhavia scabrida (Steud. & Hochst.)
• Boerhavia erecta var. thornberi ((M.E.Jones) Standl.)
• Boerhavia glutinosa (Miers ex Bertero)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Texas (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Fadlan Solichin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by awudor Sam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Manuel Joao Niugere Manuel Joao Niugere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Kobby Kay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2021 by Alexandre Bouniol (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2019 by Babatunde Awoyemi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 28, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 28, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2015 by EOL − Ashton Tassin (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gibran Morales C. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by UMANG VIROJA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2019 by Cruz Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 9, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by frederic singainy (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 22, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319111-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086281)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Boerhavia erecta L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth