[5][6] Ouret lanata is a common weed which grows wild everywhere in the plains of India.

The dried flowers which look like soft spikes, are sold under the commercial names Buikallan and Boor.

Ouret lanata is native to tropical Africa, Madagascar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the Indian subcontinent, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Philippines, and New Guinea.

[1] The species prefers damper sites than Aerva javanica and can be found in open forests on mountain slopes, on waste and disturbed ground, deserted cultivation and coastal scrub[5] and at elevations from sea level to 900 m (3,000 ft).

Other common Tamil names used for this plant are "Kannu Pillai Poo" and "Siru Poolai".

[6] In the traditional medicine of India, the juice of crushed Ouret lanata root is used for jaundice therapy.