Boerhavia diffusa – Famine Foods

Boerhavia diffusa

Synonym(s):
Boerhavia diffusa

Uses

India (Deccan): herb [sic] eaten. Madhya Pradesh: the Gond and Sahariya tribes eat the bark and leaves. Australia (New South Wales): roots roasted and eaten.

Additional Information

Name Authority:
Engelm. & A. Gray.; L.; Sw.
Vernaculars:
Rajasthan (western): Sata, Santi. Madhya Pradesh (Hindi dialect): Punarnava
Misc:
Chemical composition (root): Sand (dry sample) = 0.34%; (fresh sample) = 0.17%. Silica (dry sample) = 0.22%; (fresh sample) = 0.11%. Calcium (dry sample) = 1.246%, (fresh sample) = 0.623%. Magnesium (dry sample) = 0.344%, (fresh sample) = 0.172%. Phosphorus (dry sample = 0.155^%, (fresh sample) = 0.077%. Potassium (dry sample) = 2.89%, (fresh sample) = 1.440%. Ca: 8.03. Fe: 345. Cu: 6. Mn: 20 (in ppm on dry P basis). Moisture = 50. Fibre (crude, dry sample) = 9.6%, (fresh sample) = 4.8%. Ether extract (dry sample) = 1.62%, (fresh sample) = 0.91%. Protein (crude, dry sample) = 9.1%, (fresh sample) = 4.56%. Ash (dry sample) = 8.42%, (fresh sample) = 4.21%. Carbohydrate (dry sample) = 71.2%, (fresh sample) = 35.6%. Albuminous nitrogen (dry sample) = 1.02%, (fresh sample) = 0.51%. Amido nitrogen (dry sample) = 0.44%; fresh sample) = 0.22%. Fuel value [calories] (dry sample) = 29.0, (fresh sample) = 58.0. Soil type favored by plant: sandy and alluvial plains. See also Jain & TIwari

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This site is provided to Mr. Freedman by Dr. Jules Janick, Emeritus Professor and Former James Troop Distinguished Professor of Horticulture. The content on this site is provided and maintained by Mr. Freedman.

Page last modified: April 19, 2017

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