C.C. Townsend (1993) Achyranthes. Flora of Somalia 1: 163-165
Plants usually herbs, occasionally shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, entire. Inflorescences elongating, bracteate spikes, these solitary in the axils of the bracts, usually sharply deflexed along the inflorescence axes in fruit; bracteoles spinous-aristate, the midribs excurrent. Tepals 4-5, 1-3(-5)-veined, narrowly lanceolate, the outer 2 slightly longer than the others; stamens 2-5; filaments united below, alternating with quadrate to quadrate-spathulate staminodes; staminodes usually each with a dorsal scale; ovaries with 1 ovule; styles slender; stigmas capitate. Capsules falling with the perianth and bracteoles attached. irregularly rupturing by the thin walls, tops firm.
Achyranthes includes about 14 species. They grow in warm temperate and tropical regions of the world. One species, Achyranthes aspera, grows in both Somaliland and Somalia, but it has multiple recognized varieties, one of which, Achyranthes aspera var. pubescens is known to be present in both countries. Two others have been reported from Somalia.
Key to the varieties of Achyranthes reported from Somaliand and Somalia.
Note: GBIF records include introduced and cultivated plants. Consequently, the distribution shown often differs from statements about a taxon's native distribution.