Aerva javanica
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Aerva javanica, the kapok bush or desert cotton, is a species of plant in the family Amaranthaceae. It has a native distribution incorporating much of Africa (including Madagascar), and the south-west and south of Asia, and it has become adventitious in northern Australia.[1][2]
Description
The plant is herbaceous, multi-stemmed and soft-wooded and bears broad leaves; it often has an erect habit and grows to a height of about Script error: No such module "convert".. In Western Australia it tends to grow in sandy soils especially along drainage lines. It flowers between January and October.[3] Diplospory, a type of Agamospermy, occurs during the development of female gametophyte in the ovule and hence reduction division does not take place in the Megaspore mother cell. The diploid egg is unfertilized and forms the embryo. Hence daughter plants are exactly clones of the mother.
The species uses C4 carbon fixation.[4] It is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are produced on separate individuals.[5]
Uses
This herb is deep rooted, and is used as soil binder in desert reclamation.[6] It is used for fuel and for fodder for goats. In traditional medicine the seeds are believed to cure headaches.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". A gargle is made from the plant to try to treat toothache.[7]
The plant has naturalised in northern regions of Australia, as an alien introduction, and is cultivated and utilised by the indigenous peoples of some countries. The thick, white inflorescences have traditionally been harvested in Arabia for stuffing cushions and saddle pads.[8][9] Today, the soft fibres are still used as kapok for pillows. It is called Bilhangga in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people, the English term is Kapok Bush.[10]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Template:GRIN
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "EditAtWikidata".Template:WikidataCheck
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Open access
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ L R Burdak (1982): Recent advances in desert afforestation, Dehradun, p. 66
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ M.A. Zahran & A.J. Willis, The Vegetation of Egypt, Hong Kong 1992, pp. 187–188 Template:ISBN
- ↑ James P. Mandaville, Bedouin Ethnobotany - Plant Concepts and Uses in a Desert Pastoral World, University of Arizona Press 2011, p. 154, (Template:ISBN)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Aerva javanica Flowers in Israel