Alternanthera
Encyclopedia
Alternanthera is a genus
of approximately 80 herbaceous plant species in Amaranthaceae
, the amaranth family. It is a widespread genus with a cosmopolitan distribution
.
Several species are aquatic
plant in habit, but most are spreading stoloniferous plants, sometimes used as ground cover. The leaves
are simple and verticillate. The small white or yellow flower
s are arranged in chafflike bract
s, growing in the leaf buds.
Alligator weed
(Alternanthera philoxeroides), a native of South America
, forms dense, sprawling mats, reaching 15 m across. It is considered a noxious weed, choking ponds, lakes, streams, canals, and irrigation ditches. It is being suppressed through biological control with the alligator weed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila), the alligator weed thrips
(Amynothrips andersoni), and the alligator weed stem borer (Vogtia malloi). Mechanical and chemical controls fail.
There are only a few aquatic plants in the genus Alternanthera suitable for aquarium
use. They are considered difficult to grow and maintain, because they are sensitive to certain parameters of light, water, and fertilizers. The species often found in aquarium settings include A. bettzichiana, A. reineckii, A. reineckii var. lilacina, A. reineckii var. roseafolia, A. reineckii var. rubra, and A. sessilis, which is semi-aquatic.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of approximately 80 herbaceous plant species in Amaranthaceae
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
, the amaranth family. It is a widespread genus with a cosmopolitan distribution
Cosmopolitan distribution
In biogeography, a taxon is said to have a cosmopolitan distribution if its range extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. For instance, the killer whale has a cosmopolitan distribution, extending over most of the world's oceans. Other examples include humans, the lichen...
.
Several species are aquatic
Aquatic ecosystem
An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem in a body of water. Communities of organisms that are dependent on each other and on their environment live in aquatic ecosystems. The two main types of aquatic ecosystems are marine ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems....
plant in habit, but most are spreading stoloniferous plants, sometimes used as ground cover. The leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
are simple and verticillate. The small white or yellow flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are arranged in chafflike bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s, growing in the leaf buds.
Alligator weed
Alligator weed
Alternanthera philoxeroides, commonly known as Alligator weed, is an immersed aquatic plant. It originated in South America, but has spread to many parts of the world and is considered an invasive species in Australia, China, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States.Alligator weed can grow in a...
(Alternanthera philoxeroides), a native of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, forms dense, sprawling mats, reaching 15 m across. It is considered a noxious weed, choking ponds, lakes, streams, canals, and irrigation ditches. It is being suppressed through biological control with the alligator weed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila), the alligator weed thrips
Amynothrips andersoni
Amynothrips andersoni is a species of thrips known as alligator weed thrips. It has been used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as alligator weed ....
(Amynothrips andersoni), and the alligator weed stem borer (Vogtia malloi). Mechanical and chemical controls fail.
There are only a few aquatic plants in the genus Alternanthera suitable for aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
use. They are considered difficult to grow and maintain, because they are sensitive to certain parameters of light, water, and fertilizers. The species often found in aquarium settings include A. bettzichiana, A. reineckii, A. reineckii var. lilacina, A. reineckii var. roseafolia, A. reineckii var. rubra, and A. sessilis, which is semi-aquatic.
See also
List of freshwater aquarium plant speciesSelected species
- Alternanthera amoenaAlternanthera amoenaAlternanthera amoena is a species of flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family. The plant is commonly used as an ornamental edging plant.-References:...
- Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze
- Alternanthera caracasanaAlternanthera caracasanaAlternanthera caracasana is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common names khakiweed, washerwoman and mat chaff flower. It is native to Central and South Africa but is well-known elsewhere as a noxious weed...
Kunth - Alternanthera crucis Bold.
- Alternanthera dentata R.E.Fr.
- Alternanthera echinocephala (Hook.f.) Christoph.
- Alternanthera flavescens Kunth
- Alternanthera flavogrisea Urb.
- Alternanthera hassleriana Chodat
- Alternanthera helleriAlternanthera helleriAlternanthera helleri is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. It is believed to be green in color anywhere from 90 to 100% of the year depending on altitude...
(B.L. Rob.) J.T. Howell - Alternanthera littoralisAlternanthera littoralisAlternanthera littoralis is an African species in the botanical family Amaranthaceae. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.-External links:*...
P.Beauv. - Alternanthera maritima (Mart.) A.St.-Hil.
- Alternanthera nodiflora R.Br.
- Alternanthera paronichyoides A.St.-Hil.
- Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.
- Alternanthera pungens Kunth
- Alternanthera reineckiiAlternanthera reineckiiAlternanthera reineckii is a species of aquatic plant. Several cultivars are used in the aquarium trade.This is a small herbaceous plant, which when living in marsh conditions has two forms: emergent , and submersed...
Briq. - Alternanthera sessilisAlternanthera sessilisAlternanthera sessilis is an aquatic plant known by several common names, including sessile joyweed and dwarf copperleaf. It is used as an aquarium plant.The plant occurs around the world....
(L.) DC. - Alternanthera sissooAlternanthera sissooSissoo spinach, also known as Brazil spinach or Samba lettuce, is a tropical vegetable of the genus Alternanthera. It is vigorous and spreading, but not considered invasive. It thrives in 50% or more shade and benefits from nitrogen....
- Alternanthera tenella Colla
- Alternanthera versicolor R.Br.