Oriental chaff flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oriental chaff flower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achyranthes
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| Species: |
japonica
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Achyranthes japonica, also known as the Oriental chaff flower or Japanese chaff flower, is a type of plant that lives for many years. It belongs to the Achyranthes group in the Amaranthaceae family. You can often find this plant growing along roadsides, especially in Korea and Japan.
Meet the Oriental Chaff Flower
The Oriental chaff flower is a plant that comes back year after year. It usually grows about 50 to 100 centimeters (about 20 to 40 inches) tall. This plant has strong, thick roots. Its stems are often smooth or have a few soft hairs. They are square-shaped and have branches. The parts of the stem where leaves grow are a bit wider.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant grow in pairs, one opposite the other. They are shaped like an oval or ellipse and might have a few soft hairs. Each leaf has a small stem connecting it to the main plant. The leaves are usually 10 to 20 centimeters (about 4 to 8 inches) long and 4 to 10 centimeters (about 1.5 to 4 inches) wide.
The flowers of the Oriental chaff flower bloom from August to September. They grow in long clusters called spikes. These spikes appear where the leaves meet the stem and at the very top of the plant. The tiny flowers are green. Each small flower has five stamens (the parts that make pollen) and one pistil (the part that makes seeds). These parts join together at the bottom of the flower. There are also tiny, branch-shaped parts called bracts near the flowers. These bracts can easily stick to your clothes!
Where it Grows Best
This plant likes to grow in different types of soil. It does well in light soils, like sandy soil, and in medium soils, like loamy soil. It can grow in soils that are a bit acidic or neutral. You can often find the Oriental chaff flower in wooded areas, both in lowlands and on hills.
Traditional Uses
The root of the Oriental chaff flower has been used in traditional medicine, especially in Korea. People have used it for its natural properties for a long time.
