Fujairah’s Flora and Fauna: Aerva javanica
Botanical Description
Perennial soft-wooded bush, up to 100cm, stem erect and covered with fine hairs. Leaves alternate, greyish-green in colour, lance to oblong shaped, top surface covered with white woolly hairs.
Flowers
In spikes, white in colour, buds are violet in colour.
Leaf-like structure just below flowers covered with long white hairs that become woollier as seasons progress.
Fruits
Inside woolly covering containing one small seed.
Flowering
Thoughout the year, except November and December.
Habitat
Sandy roadsides, disturbed sites, silt in rocky wadis, and on alluvial plains.
Distribution
Common and widespread in the northern Emirates.
Globally
Native distribution from northern Africa to south western Asia, the plant has naturalized in northern Australia as an alien introduction.
Uses
The woolly flowers and seed heads were traditionally used as stuffing for camel saddles and cushions. The whole plant was also used as diuretic and as an antidote for poisoning. Flower heads were mixed with water to form a paste to treat wounds and stop bleeding.
In Saudi Arabia, eye diseases were treated with a juice extracted from the roots. Roasted, pounded roots were used as a substitute for eye antimony, and were often mixed with mother of pearl to give some sparkle.
