Volume 5 > Part 4 > Year 1992 > Page 407 > Amaranthaceae > Alternanthera

5. Alternanthera paronichyoides A.St.-Hil.

Voy. Distr. Diam. 2: 439. 1833; Schinz in Pflanzenfam. ed. 2, 16c: 73. 1934; Bakhuizen v.d. Brink, v. Steenis & Veldkamp in Fl. Mal. 6: 916. 1972; K.Larsen in Fl. C.L.V. 24: 49. 1989.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Perennial, glabrescent, prostrate herb, stems up to 50 cm or more rooting at the nodes. Leaves lanceolate to spathulate, glabrescent 1–4 by 0.5–1 cm, acute or obtuse at apex, attenuate at base; petiole 2–10 mm. Spikes sessile, axillary, ovoid, 5–15 by 3–6 mm. Bracts and bracteoles similar, ovate-lanceolate, acute. Tepals 5, 3-nerved, obtuse or acute, ovate-lanceolate, the 3 outer longer; 3–7 mm long. Staminal tube low; pseudo-staminodes much shorter than stamens, dentate-laciniate. Ovary obovoid; style short. Utricle spherical or obovoid, narrowly winged. Seeds lenticular, 1.5 mm diam.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Suthep), Tak; NORTH-EASTERN: Loei, Khon Kaen; EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram; CENTRAL: Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon; SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthai Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Sam Roi Yot); PENINSULAR: observed in all provinces by the author.

Distribution : Origin tropical America (Brazil – type), spreading and probably becoming a cosmopolitan weed.

Ecology : Wayside, tidal areas (common) on clayey soil, and up to 1,000 (wayside Doi Suthep), also garden weed in Bangkok.

E-version notes : As Alternanthera paronychioides A.St.-Hil.