Amaranthaceae

Achyranthes aspera

Common Names: Chaff flower.

Plant Form: Erect or spreading herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Green and smooth becoming woody at base with age. Leaves: Opposite sided oval or oblong shaped up to 10 cm long, narrowing at both ends. Flowers: Small greenish-white flowers clasping closely to a long narrow spike up to 60 cm long. Fruit and Seeds: Sharply pointed orange to reddish purple capsules maturing to straw-brown. Habitat: Urban bushland, disturbed areas, old gardens, grasslands, cropping areas. Native and has a pan-tropical distribution. Impacts: Note - native plant