Alternanthera denticulata | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Amaranthaceae |
Genus: | Alternanthera |
Species: | A. denticulata
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Binomial name | |
Alternanthera denticulata | |
Synonyms [3] | |
Alternanthera denticulata var. micrantha Benth. |
Alternanthera denticulata (common name lesser joyweed) is a small prostrate white-flowering herb in the Amaranthaceae family. [4] It is native to all states and territories of Australia, [5] New Guinea, and the North Island of New Zealand. [3] It is also one of the food plants of the varied eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina nerina. [6]
The species was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown. [1] [2]
Alternanthera denticulata is a prostrate to erect perennial herb, whose stems root at the nodes. The stems are green flushed pink, and sparsely hairy to being without a covering. The nodes are tomentose (that is, covered with dense intertwined hairs). The leaves are (20-)30-80 by 6–12 mm, and a light green, yellow green or flushed pink, with both the midrib and lateral veins being pink. The leaf margins are finely toothed, [7] or entire. [5]
In Western Australia, it grows on both sand and clay soils, on the banks of creeks, rivers and swamps, flowering from April to August. [4] On the North Island of New Zealand, it is found on coastal and lowland wetlands, lake margins and other damp ground, flowering from January to December. [7]
In New Zealand, it has been assessed by the Department of Conservation as "Data Poor" but "Secure Overseas". [8]