Volume 5 > Part 4 > Year 1992 > Page 403 > Amaranthaceae > Alternanthera

1. Alternanthera pungens Kunth wfo-0000528787

in HBK., Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 206. 1818; Melville, Kew Bull. 13: 172. 1958; Larsen in Fl. C.L.V. 24: 50. 1989. Fig. 90: 9–10; Plate XXV: 32.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Perennial prostrate herb; stems often woody at base, pubescent; ± densely hairy particulary when young. Leaves ovate or obovate, 2–5 by 1–3.5 cm, shortly petiolate. Inflorescences spherical or slightly oblong, sessile often clustered. Bracts strongly spinescent, bracteoles 2, acute. Tepals unequal, 2 outer with long pungent apex, ca 5 mm long, 3 inner, shorter, acute, all with small tufts of hairs. Stamens 5, pseudo-staminodes shorter than filaments, entire or dentate. Ovary ellipsoidal; style short; stigma capitate. Fruit ovoid falling off together with perianth. Seeds lenticular, smooth, shining.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Phrae, Nakhon Sawan; NORTH-EASTERN: Loei; EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima; CENTRAL: Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Distribution : Neotropical now a cosmopolitan weed.

Ecology : Weedy, often on sandy soil.

Vernacular : Khok krasun (โคกกระสุน), khok krasun lek (โคกกระสุนเล็ก)(Central).

CommonName : Sessile Joyweed.

Notes: Found all over Thailand, but apparently rarely collected. It is, however, undoubtedly much rarer than Alternanthera sessilis.