Aerva javanica

Taxobox


status =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Amaranthaceae
genus = "Aerva"
species = "A. javanica"
binomial = "Aerva javanica"
binomial_authority = (Burm.f.) Shult.
synonyms =

"Aerva javanica" is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It has a native distribution from Northern Africa to south western regions of Asia.The plant is a herbaceous plant, multistemmed, soft-wooded, with broad leaves; it often has an erect habit. [FloraBase|name= "Aerva javanica" (Burm.f.) Schult.|id=2646]

The plant has naturalised in northern regions of Australia, as an alien introduction, and is cultivated and utilised by the indigenous peoples. The seedheads are harvested for their soft fibres, rubbed between the palms and used as kapok for pillows. It is called Bilhangga in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people, the English term is Kapok Bush.Cite book|title=Wanggalili; Yinjibarndi and Ngarluma Plants|author=Burndud|publisher= Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation |date=1990|page = 17]

References