Soft weed (Guilleminea densa, A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 338 (1849))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: (Willd. ex Schult.) Moq.

Bibliography: A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 338 (1849)

Year: 1849

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Guilleminea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico, Colombia to N. Argentina

Description

Soft weed, scientifically known as Guilleminea densa, is a notable member of the Amaranthaceae family. This species was first described in detail by the renowned botanist A.P. de Candolle in the publication “Prodromus” in 1849, which provides crucial botanical insights into a variety of plant species. The taxonomic authority for Guilleminea densa is attributed to (Willd. ex Schult.) Moq., indicating the significant contributions of early botanists in classifying this plant.

Geographically, soft weed thrives across a broad range that includes Mexico, extending down through Colombia and reaching into northern Argentina. This wide distribution highlights its adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions, making it a prevalent species within its native range.

Guilleminea densa is characteristically resilient, capable of thriving in diverse environments from subtropical regions to higher-altitude Andean landscapes. This adaptability may be linked to its ability to tolerate different levels of moisture and soil types, which is a common trait in members of the Amaranthaceae family.

Its extensive geographical presence and the botanical history surrounding its classification make Guilleminea densa an intriguing subject for further ecological and botanical studies. Researchers and enthusiasts alike may find interest in studying this species to understand better the ecological roles it plays in its native habitats, its potential medicinal properties, or its possible uses in agriculture and horticulture.

Common Names

Eng: small matweed
En: Soft weed, Weed lawn, Small matweed
Af: Vals papierdubbeltjie

Synonyms

• Illecebrum densum (Willd. ex Schult.)
• Brayulinea densa ((Willd. ex Schult.) Small)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• California (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Texas (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by Solomon Mochiah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Gisela Salvatierra Soñanes (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085188)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1183159-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Guilleminea densa (Willd. ex Schult.) Moq.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth