Family: Amaranthaceae
Author: Kunth
Bibliography: F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 205 (1818)
Year: 1818
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Alternanthera
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico to Trop. America
Description
Mat chaff-flower, scientifically known as Alternanthera caracasana, is a versatile plant species widely observed from Mexico to Tropical America. This hardy and adaptable plant belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, which is well-regarded for its ecological significance and resilience in various environments.
First described by Kunth, with a detailed bibliographic citation from F.W.H. von Humboldt, A.J.A. Bonpland, and C.S. Kunth in “Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 205” published in 1818, Mat chaff-flower has garnered attention for its distinctive characteristics and adaptability. The plant thrives in a range of climates across its geographical spread, making it a notable example of flora in the tropical regions it occupies.
Mat chaff-flower is also recognized for its contribution to the biodiversity of the areas where it grows. As a member of the Amaranthaceae family, it shares a familial connection with many other economically and ecologically important plants. Despite its unassuming common name, the Alternanthera caracasana plays a crucial role in its native ecosystems, contributing to habitat stability and providing resources for various wildlife.
In summary, the Mat chaff-flower is a notable plant species not only for its distribution and resilience but also for its integral role in the ecological fabric of Tropical America. Its rich history of documentation by esteemed botanists underscores its longstanding significance in botanical studies and environmental conservation.
Common Names
Fra: alternanthère
Deu: papageienblatt
Spa: sangradera de caracas, erva-prata
Eng: washerwoman, mat chaff-flower, paperthorn
En: Mat chaff-flower, Washerwoman, Paperthorn
Ca: Alternantera peploide
Zh: 刺花莲子草
Fi: Mattokaijalehti
Fr: Alternanthère
De: Papageienblatt
It: Alternantera
Es: Sangradera de Caracas, Erva-prata
Zh-hant: 刺花蓮子草
Synonyms
- Alternanthera peploides ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.) Urb.)
- Alternanthera parvifolia ((Moq.) Fawc. & Rendle)
- Illecebrum peploides (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.)
- Achyranthes peploides ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.) Britton)
- Alternanthera villiflora (Scheele)
- Celosia humifusa (Willd. ex Schult.)
- Alternanthera achyrantha var. parvifolia (Moq.)
- Alternanthera achyrantha var. dasyantha (Seub.)
- Alternanthera macrorhiza (Hauman)
- Telanthera caracasana ((Kunth) Moq.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- Botswana (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Malawi (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Zambia (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Nov 7, 2014 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 7, 2014 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 7, 2014 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 6, 2021 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Sousa Leite António (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2019 by José Ayuste (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2022 by m pm (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Talemos seta (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Taken Feb 6, 2021 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2022 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Sousa Leite António (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 15, 2020 by Pina Adilson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Other
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084958)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:327344-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alternanthera caracasana Kunth)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 5.5
Ph minimum: 5.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Soil nutriments: 4