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.[2][3]
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 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in). In Western Australia it tends to grow in sandy soils especially along drainage lines. It flowers between January and October.[4] 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.[5] It is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are produced on separate individuals.[6]
This herb is deep rooted, and is used as soil binder in desert reclamation.[7] It is used for fuel and for fodder for goats. In traditional medicine the seeds are believed to cure headaches. A gargle is made from the plant to try to treat toothache.[8]
The plant has naturalised in northern regions of Australia, as an alien introduction, and is cultivated and utilised by the indigenous peoples. The thick, white inflorescences have traditionally been harvested in Arabia for stuffing cushions and saddle pads.[9][10] 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.[11]
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.
Aerva javanica es una especie de planta herbácea de la familia Amaranthaceae. Se distribuye desde el Norte de África hasta el sur de Asia.
Es una planta herbácea, erecta, perennifolia y muy ramificada de madera blanda, con hojas anchas, la cual, a menudo, tiene un hábito erecto.[1] La planta se ha naturalizado en las regiones del norte de Australia, como una introducción extranjera, y se ha cultivado y utilizado por los pueblos indígenas. Los cabezas de semillas se cosechan par sus fibras suaves, se frota entre las palmas de las manos y se utiliza como borra para almohadas.[2]
Aerva javanica fue descrita por (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult. y publicado en Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 2: 131. 1803.[3]
Aerva javanica es una especie de planta herbácea de la familia Amaranthaceae. Se distribuye desde el Norte de África hasta el sur de Asia.
Aerva javanica là loài thực vật có hoa thuộc họ Dền. Loài này được (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1808.[1]
Bài viết về phân họ Dền này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Aerva javanica là loài thực vật có hoa thuộc họ Dền. Loài này được (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1808.
