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Boerhavia diffusa

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-CoreEudicot Order: Caryophyllales Family: Nyctaginaceae Genus: Boerhavia

anena (Ni‘ihau via St. John), nena, scarlet boerhavia, scarlet spiderling

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Herbs annual or perennial.

Stems: Stems sprawling to ascending, most parts glandular-pubescent, sometimes conspicuously so, occasionally apparently eglandular.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades very variable, lanceolate to suborbicular, to 1.8-6 × 1-5.5 cm. Apex rounded to acute. Base cuneate to shallowly cordate. Margins obscurely sinuate. Petioles well defined, to 3 cm. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Inflorescences mostly terminal and subterminal, upper leaves reduced to form ascending panicle, 2-8-flowered clusters. Pedicel to 1 mm. Flowers bisexual, small. Perianth constricted beyond the ovary, limb campanulate, apex 5-lobed, limb white, pink, or mauve, rarely purplish red, to 2(-2.5) mm. Stamens (1-)3(-4), 1.5-4.5 mm.

Fruit: Anthocarps fusiform; 3-3.5(-4) mm; obviously 5-ribbed; usually glandular hairy. Seeds with a curved embryo; cotyledons thin; broad; enclosing the thin endosperm.

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Kapou(Lisianski Island) Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 3 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:978 (K, O, M, Ka, H [as B. coccinea]); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2002:10 (L); Oppenheimer 2003:16 (Mo); Starr et al. 2003:29 (Ku); Starr & Starr 2018:4 (Mi); Spellenberg 2004:19/Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:196 (Li, B. coccinea misapplied = B. diffusa); Naomi Worcester pers. comm/Starr 010523-1 BISH (Ku†, 2001)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Boerhavia diffusa Waianae District, Puokale near Yokohama Bay Growing in roadside rubble near ocean. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. Oahu BISH 1985-07-28
2 Boerhavia diffusa Koloa District. McBryde Garden native section cultivated Preserved_Specimen leaves ovate; slowers red Wolkis, D. 1126 Kauai BISH 2016-10-27
3 Boerhavia diffusa Manana, Oahu Found in sheer and exposed areas such as the back walls of the gullies in the crater. Preserved_Specimen Occasional. Starr, F. 502252 Oahu BISH 2005-02-25
4 Boerhavia diffusa Kalaupapa National Historical Park airport ocean view pavilion D:(ns-nh-xg) Preserved_Specimen prostrate to ascending perennial herb Wysong, M.L. 419 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
5 Boerhavia diffusa Waianae Kai Military Reservation, Waianae Weed in lawn and near buildings, often in shade. Preserved_Specimen Flowers pink, plant prostrate. Nagata, K.M. 1394 Oahu BISH 1976-11-04
6 Boerhavia diffusa Farrington Hwy, Keaau, Waianae District Growing alongside the highway amid grasses. Preserved_Specimen Decumbent. Inflorescence rising about 25 cm; flowers rose to magenta. Nagata, K.M. 2036 Oahu BISH 1980-02-17
7 Boerhavia diffusa W coast, central Sandy soil, especially w. Ipomoea, Tribulus, Eragrostis. Preserved_Specimen Creeping, climbing, ht 0.1-0.5m. Conant, S. 189 Lisianski Island BISH 1983-08-08
8 Boerhavia diffusa Poipu, Waiohai vacant, ~25 acre lot Preserved_Specimen semi-erect herb; flowers minute, purple pink; fine hairs on stems and leaves; fruit sticky, glandular Dunn, L. 289 Kauai BISH 2003-10-02
9 Boerhavia diffusa Kapulei Commonly found in yards. Preserved_Specimen Rhizomatous, prostrate to ascending herb, 0.2 tall, leaves broadly ovate, upper surface green. Seeds sticky. Problem weed because of hitchhiking seeds. Perry, L. Molokai BISH 1992-03-13
10 Boerhavia diffusa Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Ahihi Bay at the N end of the reserve Pockets of vegetation near the seashore amongst a'a lava about 200 years old. Preserved_Specimen Ground cover; some in flower; most fruiting; perianth magenta. Abbott, I.A. 91.1 Maui BISH 1991-03-05
11 Boerhavia diffusa Makaha Valley Rare in area behind present golf course to be developed. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling herb, fls. white. Davis, J. 107 Oahu BISH 1979-05-11
12 Boerhavia diffusa Kahului, Maui Memorial Hospital grounds landscaped Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1751 Maui BISH 1983-04-14
13 Boerhavia diffusa East Maui, S coast, Kanaio beach near W end under a kiawe with regular Boerhavia Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1277 Maui BISH 1982-02-28
14 Boerhavia diffusa Kola District. West side of Hanapepe Bay, Paakahi Point. Mixed native and not-native shrubland-grassland-herbland w/ Sida fallax, Lycium sandwicense, Jacquemontia ovalifolia, Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis, Sporobolus virginicus, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Scaevola taccada, Vigna marina, Panicum torridum, P Preserved_Specimen Herb, low, decumbent, anthocarps glandular, perianth magenta, in flower and frujit, common. Wood, K.R. 17812 Kauai BISH 2018-04-09
15 Boerhavia diffusa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Roadside along Coral Sea Road. With Boerhavia coccinea (779312), Amaranthus spinosus (779312) and Cynodon dactylon (779134), and other grasses. Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 96 Oahu BISH 2021-05-17
16 Boerhavia diffusa Mokulua North, Oahu on north summit Preserved_Specimen Rare to occasional. A few clumps on north summit. Starr, F. 5022420 Oahu BISH 2005-02-24
17 Boerhavia diffusa Keleakua Bay basaltic boulders behind small beach Preserved_Specimen Herb with stout taproot. Stems purplish and ~prostrate. Petioles pink; lamina of leaf whitish beneath with main veins impressed above. Inflorescence erect, very diffuse. Sykes, W.R. 30191 Hawaii BISH 1991-06-01
18 Boerhavia diffusa Haleiwa, along Waialua Bay Along road. Preserved_Specimen Collapsed perianth (1:00 pm) deep pink-magenta. Spellenberg, R. 6406 Oahu BISH 1981-10-09
19 Boerhavia diffusa Molokini Islet Rare. Observed only near sign and at landing. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 6040523 Maui BISH 2006-04-05
20 Boerhavia diffusa Near quarters Associated vegetation: Cynodon dactylon, Lobularia maritima. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, slightly ascending herb; flowers scarlet red, paniculate. Starr, F. 105231 Kure Atoll BISH 2001-05-23
21 Boerhavia diffusa Mokuhooniki Preserved_Specimen Leaves slightly mealy feeling, flowers white. Hobdy, R.W. 1137 Molokai BISH 1981-09-08
22 Boerhavia diffusa near Kailua-Kona, along Kuakini Hwy Preserved_Specimen decumbent herb with magenta flowers Herbst, D.R. 5023 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
23 Boerhavia diffusa Mokuauia Islet, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rare to occasional. A couple plants found on margins of sea grape trees. Starr, F. 5022211 Oahu BISH 2007-02-22
24 Boerhavia diffusa Kailua-Kona, Kuakini Hwy Preserved_Specimen decumbent; magenta flower Herbst, D.R. 5023 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
25 Boerhavia diffusa Mokulua South, Oahu on S slope Preserved_Specimen Uncommon. A few plants on south slope. Starr, F. 5022317 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
26 Boerhavia diffusa Honolulu District: Koko Head: east slope facing Hanauma Bay, near Ihiihilauakea Crater. Kuamookane Ridge: near benchmark Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 135 Oahu BISH 1984-01-17
27 Boerhavia diffusa Kaunakakai harbor, along the rd Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 70108 Molokai BISH 2001-07-14
28 Boerhavia diffusa Smuggler's Cove, along military barracks Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1749 Kahoolawe BISH 1983-04-13
29 Boerhavia diffusa Kaumalapau Harbor Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 109915 Lanai BISH 1999-10-25
30 Boerhavia diffusa Hwy 50 near PMRF Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with erect inflorescences ca. 12 in. high. Flowers deep purple. Flynn, T.W. 868 Kauai BISH 1984-05-03
31 Boerhavia diffusa North Kona, Kailua-Kona. Along Alii Drive Preserved_Specimen Sprawling herb. Flowers dark pink. Stems light pink. Leaves thick, succulent. Davis, J. 513 Hawaii BISH 1981-06-13
32 Boerhavia diffusa Hwy 50 near PMRF Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with erect inflorescences ca. 12 in. high. Flowers deep purple. Flynn, T.W. 868 Kauai BISH 1984-05-30
33 Boerhavia diffusa Near military camp Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 9211 Kahoolawe BISH 1989-04-21
34 Boerhavia diffusa Kau, Kamilo Preserved_Specimen Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1969-12-12
35 Boerhavia diffusa Waiehu Dunes Preserved_Specimen Harrison, L. Maui BISH 1991-03-01
36 Boerhavia diffusa Parking lot at Hanauma Bay Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1986-07-05
37 Boerhavia diffusa Vacant lot, U.S. Army Reserve area, Pearl City Industrial Park Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1986-06-23
38 Boerhavia diffusa Waiehu Dunes Preserved_Specimen Harrison, L. Maui BISH 1991-03-01
39 Boerhavia diffusa Kailua, Kona, just mauka of Hualalai Rd. In an opening in dry brushland vegetation over lava. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 4212 Hawaii BISH 2005-10-01
40 Boerhavia diffusa Kailua-Kona grasses, Portulaca oleracea; sunny Preserved_Specimen prostrate, erect inflorescences >15 cm length Nagata, K.M. 2030 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-16
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