Alternanthera denticulata (common name lesser joyweed) is a small prostrate white-flowering herb in the Amaranthaceae family.[4] It is native to all states and territories of Australia,[5] New Guinea, and the North Island of New Zealand.[3] It is also one of the food plants of the varied eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina nerina.[6]

Alternanthera denticulata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Genus:	Alternanthera
Species:	A. denticulata
Binomial name
Alternanthera denticulata R.Br.[1][2]
Synonyms[3]
Alternanthera denticulata var. micrantha Benth. Alternanthera denticulata var. uliginosa Domin Alternanthera micrantha (Benth.) Domin Alternanthera triandra var. denticulata (R.Br.) Maiden & Betche

The species was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown.[1][2]

Description

Alternanthera denticulata is a prostrate to erect perennial herb, whose stems root at the nodes. The stems are green flushed pink, and sparsely hairy to being without a covering. The nodes are tomentose (that is, covered with dense intertwined hairs). The leaves are (20-)30-80 by 6–12 mm, and a light green, yellow green or flushed pink, with both the midrib and lateral veins being pink. The leaf margins are finely toothed,[7] or entire.[5]

Habitat and flowering

In Western Australia, it grows on both sand and clay soils, on the banks of creeks, rivers and swamps, flowering from April to August.[4] On the North Island of New Zealand, it is found on coastal and lowland wetlands, lake margins and other damp ground, flowering from January to December.[7]

Conservation status

In New Zealand, it has been assessed by the Department of Conservation as "Data Poor" but "Secure Overseas".[8]

References

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