Anena
Boerhavia repens
- Native to:
- Aldabra, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Borneo, Botswana, Burkina, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Central African Republic, Chad, Chagos Archipelago, China, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gilbert Is., Guam, Guinea, Hainan, Hawaii, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Libya, Line Is., Malaya, Maldives, Mali, Maluku, Marcus I., Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Is., Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uganda, United States, Wake I., Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe
iNaturalist: © qgroom (iNaturalist #163556335)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Genus:
- Boerhavia
- Species:
- Boerhavia repens
- USDA Symbol:
- BORE4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, small insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in coastal and arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm temperatures without special treatment. Light exposure may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For cuttings, work in a shady area, use clean pots, cut plants into desired lengths, place about 3 strands in each pot, fill the rest of the pot with potting mix. For seeds, place seeds in a 24 hour water soak.
Establishment: Alena is indigenous to Hawai'i and can be collected from coastal sites or from any site where it is abundant. The success rate for cuttings is usually not 100% but more like 75-80%. No specific germination rate for seeds was provided.
Source: npn.rngr.net