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Botanical name: Aerva javanica Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
Synonyms: Aerva ovata, Aerva persica, Aerva tomentosa Desert Cotton is a perennial semi-shrubby plant
growing in tropical and subtropical dry areas. It is both erect and
spreading, grows up to a height of 1.5 m high, and is covered with
densely matted hairs on stems and leaves. It is much-branched, with
vigorous round stems that are woody at the base, and a dark stout
taproot. It has numerous leaves, ovate to lanceshaped, 1-2 x 4-7.5 cm,
alternate and white to grey. The flowers are small and whitish and
arranged in dense, woolly at branch-ends panicles. This herb is deep
rooted, and is used as soil binder in desert reclamation. It has a
native distribution incorporating much of Africa (including
Madagascar), and the south-west and south of Asia.
Medicinal uses: ![]()
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