Alligator-weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides, Abh. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 24: 36 (1879))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: (Mart.) Griseb.

Bibliography: Abh. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 24: 36 (1879)

Year: 1879

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alternanthera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trinidad to N. Argentina

Description

Alligator-weed, scientifically known as Alternanthera philoxeroides, is a notable plant species belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. The plant was described in scientific literature by Griseb. in 1879, under the auspices of the Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, volume 24, on page 36.

This perennial herbaceous plant exhibits a unique adaptability to varying environmental conditions, thriving in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It is particularly prevalent from Trinidad to Northern Argentina. The plant is easily recognizable by its opposite leaves which are typically elliptic to lanceolate in shape, and its small, white, papery flowers that form in dense clusters.

Alligator-weed has a sprawling growth habit, often forming dense mats on the surface of water bodies, which can significantly impact local ecosystems. Its ability to spread rapidly and outcompete native vegetation poses significant challenges, particularly in aquatic environments where it can obstruct waterways and alter habitats.

The plant is also of interest for its ecological impacts and potential uses in phytoremediation, given its capacity to absorb heavy metals and other pollutants from its environment. Control measures are often necessary to manage its spread, particularly in regions where it is considered invasive.

Overall, Alternanthera philoxeroides represents both a botanical curiosity and an environmental concern, meriting attention for its ecological impact and management challenges.

Common Names

Deu: alligatorkraut
Dan: alligatorurt
Eng: alligatorweed, alligator-weed, alligator weed
Fra: alternanthère
Nld: alligatorkruid
Swe: alligatorblad
En: Alligator-weed, Alligatorweed, Alligator weed, Pig weed
Bn: মালঞ্চ শাক
Zh: Xi han lian zi cao, 喜旱莲子草, 水花生, 空心莲子草, 空心蓮子草, 長梗滿天星, 革命草
Da: Alligatorurt
Nl: Alligatorkruid
Fi: Vesikaijalehti
Fr: Alternanthère, Alligatorweed
De: Alligatorkraut
It: Alternantera
Pt-br: Piriquito
Es: Hierba del lagarto
Sv: Alligatorblad
Zh-tw: 空心蓮子草
Th: ผักเป็ดน้ำ
Zh-hant: 空心蓮子草

Synonyms

• Telanthera philoxeroides var. linearifolia (Chodat)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides f. phyllantha ((Seub.) Mears)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. platyphylla ((Seub.) R.E.Fr.)
• Achyranthes paludosa (Bunbury)
• Bucholzia philoxeroides (Mart.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. obtusifolia ((Mart.) Hicken)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. luxurians (Suess.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. phyllantha ((Seub.) R.E.Fr.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. lancifolia (Chodat)
• Brandesia martiana (Gillies ex Moq.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides f. angustifolia (Suess.)
• Celosia amphibia (Salzm. ex Moq.)
• Alternanthera aphylla (Glaz.)
• Bucholzia philoxeroides var. acutifolia (Mart.)
• Bucholzia philoxeroides var. obtusifolia (Mart.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides f. acutifolia ((Moq.) Pedersen)
• Mogiphanes philoxeroides (D.Parodi)
• Achyranthes philoxeroides ((Mart.) Standl.)
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. obtusifolia (Moq.)
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. phyllantha (Seub.)
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. acutifolia ((Moq.) Hicken)
• Achyranthes aphylla ((Glaz.) Standl.)
• Telanthera philoxeroides (Moq.)
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. acutifolia (Moq.)
• Alternanthera philoxerina (Suess.)
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. denticulata (Seub.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Himalaya (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.

Flower

Taken Sep 26, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2022 by Villena Rojas Marcelo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Kaushik Kumar Mech (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2018 by Nora Rapp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by michiel dillen (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2020 by anil kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Silvio de Almeida (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by spiffwalker (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by Avijit Dey (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 8, 2014 by EOL − BeachBumAgg (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marquis AURÉLIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2015 by EOL − Nicolas Olejnik (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 27, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 14, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Villena Rojas Marcelo (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 26, 2020 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by Konstantin Grandl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2010 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084923)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1024156-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.)

Specifications

Growth form: Stoloniferous

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.8

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 6