Edible: Leaves, Vegetable
A low lying grey and hairy herb. It can grow to 1 m tall. The stems are 20 to 80 cm long and sometimes branched. The leaves are alternate and with leaf stalks 1-5 mm long. The ends of the leaves are blunt. The leaves are 1 to 3.5 cm long. The flowers are green and white and about 2 mm across. The fruit is flattened and 1 mm across. The seed is black and shiny. It is about 0.7 mm long.
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It is common in dry waste land at low and medium altitudes. It is more common in places with a long dry season. In India it is on the Deccan below 1,000 m. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows between sea level and 2,000 m above sea level.
Common Names: Astmabayota, Bhui, Bilihindisoppu, Boorati, Chaya, Chepiskut, Chepkumot, Cherupula, Chivwa kuku, Daraara, Eleturot, Eleturot, Fod cadde, Food-cadde, Gadlak biro, Gorakha ganjo, Holly, Hudhufuffilaa, Kaganza ka mwana, Kapur-madhura, Karlakem, Kaudena jhangi, Kidelele, Kinonga, Kinongo, Kivuma nyuchi, Konda pindi, Ledra ara, Lendra arxa, Lopong arak, Lopong sag, Lopung, Lwelya, Mada, Maovi long, Muana nkasi, Paramoyo, Paunsia, Pichudi-sago, Pindiconda, Pol-kudu-pala, Polpala, Pompala, Shaza, Simetwo, Sirru, Sirupulai, Tabang ahas, Tebwa, Thelagapindi koora, Vhivwa kuku, Wario
Synonyms:
Achyranthes lanata L.;
Aerva elegans Moq.;
Aerva floribunda Wight;
Amaranthus lanata Dum. Cours.;
Celosia lanata L.;
Illecebrum lanatum (L.) L.;
and others