Aerva javanica

Aerva javanica, the kapok bush or desert cotton, is a species of plant in the family Amaranthaceae.

It has a native distribution incorporating much of Africa (including Madagascar), and the south-west and south of Asia, and it has become adventitious in northern Australia.

[2][3] The plant is herbaceous, multi-stemmed and soft-wooded and bears broad leaves; it often has an erect habit and grows to a height of about 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in).

[4] Diplospory, a type of Agamospermy, occurs during the development of female gametophyte in the ovule and hence reduction division does not take place in the Megaspore mother cell.

[8] The plant has naturalised in northern regions of Australia, as an alien introduction, and is cultivated and utilised by the indigenous peoples of some countries.

Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Schult. in the Pilbara, Western Australia