Devil's Horsewhip
Achyranthes aspera
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, India, Iran, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Laccadive Is., Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Navassa Island, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Nativeplants garden
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Achyranthes
- Species:
- Achyranthes aspera
- USDA Symbol:
- ACAS
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Southern beet webworm moth (Herpetogramma bipunctalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in disturbed areas and wastelands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at warm temperatures (20-30°C) without special treatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI