Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Amaranthaceae
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Achyranthes L., Sp. Pl. 204 (1753)
Type Taxon:
Achyranthes aspera L.
 Description

Herbs, often woody towards base, shrubs, or very rarely trees. Lvs opposite, petiolate. Spikes terminal or axillary, many-flowered, often elongating greatly after flowering. Fls solitary, axillary, deflexed after anthesis; bract scarious, acute to acuminate, persistent, subtended by 2 spiny bracteoles. Tepals 5-lobed, spreading during anthesis, afterwards erect, membranous or coriaceous, pungent or not in fr. Stamens 5, much < perianth, alternating with staminodes; filaments connate at base into a cup. Ovary glabrous; ovule 1, pendent; stigma capitate. Fr. an utricle, indehiscent, dry, falling with the often spiny perianth and bracteoles.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Achyranthes L.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Non-endemic)1
Total1
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.