Creeping chaffweed (Alternanthera pungens, F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 206 (1818))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: Kunth

Bibliography: F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 206 (1818)

Year: 1818

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alternanthera

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Creeping chaffweed, scientifically known as Alternanthera pungens, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. This resilient and widespread species thrives from Mexico to tropical regions across America, making it a familiar presence in a variety of habitats within these geographical bounds.

First described in 1818 by renowned botanist Kunth, Alternanthera pungens was cataloged in the seminal work “Novarum Generum et Species Plantarum” by F.W.H. von Humboldt, A.J.A. Bonpland, and Kunth himself. This comprehensive flora documentation underscores the historical and botanical significance of creeping chaffweed.

Characterized by its creeping growth habit, the plant forms a dense mat that can cover the ground effectively. Typically found in disturbed areas, this species is robust and adaptable, often inhabiting roadsides, agricultural lands, and open spaces where it can quickly establish itself. Its tolerance to various environmental conditions highlights its hardiness and ability to compete with other ground cover plants.

The overall appearance of creeping chaffweed features small, alternating leaves and inconspicuous flowers, which blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Despite its modest appearance, the species plays a vital ecological role, contributing to soil stability and acting as ground cover that helps prevent erosion.

In summary, Alternanthera pungens, or creeping chaffweed, is a notable member of the Amaranthaceae family. Its broad distribution from Mexico to tropical America and its adaptive nature make it a significant species worthy of attention in studies of plant ecology and botanical history.

Common Names

Heb: bitzan dokrani, ביצן דוקרני
Eng: khaki weed, khakiweed, creeping chaffweed, khakibur
Deu: stechendes papageienblatt
Spa: hierba del pollo
Swe: stickalternant
En: Creeping chaffweed, Khakibur, Khakiweed, Khaki Weed, Khaki burrweed, Paper thorns, Khaki joyweed
Ar: عنتاب (عِنْتَاب), لوع, لويق (لُوَيْق)
Zh: Ci hua lian zi cao
Fr: Alternanthère, Alternanthère piquante, Brède emballage à piquants
De: Stechendes Papageienblatt
He: Bitzan dokrani, ביצן דוקרני
Pt-br: Periquito-de-espinho
Es: Hierba del pollo, Illut’u Illut’u, Ojo de pollo
Sv: Stickalternant

Synonyms

• Achyranthes nivea (Link)
• Achyranthes radicans (Cav.)
• Achyranthes mucronata (Lam.)
• Illecebrum obliquum (Schumach. & Thonn.)
• Alternanthera thomensis (Gand.)
• Illecebrum sinense (Moq.)
• Alternanthera achyrantha (R.Br. ex Sweet)
• Alternanthera echinata (Sm.)
• Achyranthes leiantha ((Seub.) Standl.)
• Achyranthes lorentzii ((Uline) Standl.)
• Alternanthera pungens var. leiantha ((Seub.) Suess.)
• Alternanthera pungens f. pauciflora (Suess.)
• Alternanthera leiantha ((Seub.) Alain)
• Alternanthera pungens var. monocephala ((Bolus & Marcos) O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Pupalia sordida ((Bunbury) Moq.)
• Alternanthera repens f. monocephala (Bolus & Marcos)
• Alternanthera ciliata (Poepp. ex Seub.)
• Desmochaeta sordida (Bunbury)
• Telanthera pungens ((Kunth) Moq.)
• Illecebrum pungens (Spreng.)
• Steiremis repens ((L.) Raf.)
• Bucholzia spinescens (Gillies ex Moq.)
• Celosia echinata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.)
• Alternanthera achyrantha var. echinata ((Sm.) Maiden)
• Illecebrum ramosum (Moq.)
• Illecebrum achyrantha (L.)
• Paronychia achyrantha (Desf.)
• Pityranthus crassifolius (Mart.)
• Alternanthera achyrantha var. leiantha (Seub.)
• Guilleminea procumbens (Rojas Acosta)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Aldabra (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Gulf States (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Nov 21, 2005 by Endemia – Bernard Suprin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 27, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 7, 2005 by Endemia – Bernard Suprin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 4, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by alfieri david (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by Alsanabani Jamal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2020 by Houssein Hersi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2022 by Bracho Victor (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Skyler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Broto Puig Jaume (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2017 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by Marc Roussin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2021 by Michaela Dunaway (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by Albert Romero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by botany arvind (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Riie (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:327342-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084949)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alternanthera pungens Kunth)

Specifications

Growth