Volume 5 > Part 4 > Year 1992 > Page 406 > Amaranthaceae > Alternanthera

4. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC.wfo-0000528825

Cat. Hort. Monsp.: 77. 1813; Hook.f. in Fl. Br. Ind. 4: 731. 1885; Gagnep. in Fl. Gén. I.-C. 4: 1077. 1936; K.Larsen in Fl. C.L.V. 24: 47. 1989.— Gomphrena sessile L., Sp. Pl.: 225. 1753. Fig. 90: 1–8; Plate XXV: 33.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Perennial polymorphic herb, erect up to 1 m, ascending or creeping, rooting at the nodes, sometimes aquatic and floating, often richly branched, green or purple; stems subglabrous or with 2 opposite longitudinal lines of hairs. Leaves of varying shape often linear-lanceolate or elliptic, attenuate at both ends, glabrous or finely pubescent 1–10(–15) by 0.5–2(–3) cm; petiole short. Inflorescences axillary, sessile, ± glabrous, white, 0.5–1.5 cm diam., sometimes apparently peduncled. Rachis densely white-hairy, bracts and bracteoles ovale, acuminate, never spiny, glabrous, persistent, ca 1 mm long, shorter than the flowers. Tepals equal, ovale, attenuate, shining, glabrous or with few hairs on the dorsal side; 1-nerved or at the very base obscurely 3-nerved, 2(–3) mm long. Stamens 3, filaments with a short cup, all in all shorter than 1 mm, anthers ovoid. Pseudo-staminodes filiform, or with bifurcate apex, minute. Ovary obovoid-compressed; style very short, nearly wanting; stigma capitate to shortly-lobed. Utricle compressed, deeply emarginate, 2–3 mm long. Seeds orbicular, brown.

Thailand : Common all over the country.

Distribution : Cosmopolitan (Sri Lanka – type).

Ecology : Weedy on marshy ground, also along waysides, around villages, etc., up to 1,000 m alt. or higher.

Vernacular : Prieo daeng (เปรี้ยวแดง)(Northern); phak pet (ผักเป็ด), phak pet khao (ผักเป็ดขาว), phak pet thai (ผักเป็ดไทย)(Central).

CommonName : Sessile Joyweed.

Uses: Locally as a vegetable; also medicinal for various ailments.