Alternanthera pungens Kunth

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Nduna Lodge, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve

Photo: Bart Wursten
Second Street, Mutare

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Synonyms:	Alternanthera echinata Sm. Alternanthera repens (L.) Link
Common names:	Khaki burrweed (English) Paper thorns (English)
Frequency:
Status:
Description:	Prostrate, mat-forming herb, growing from a tap root. Stems rooting at the nodes. Inflorescences somewhat spiny, due to long bracteoles and awns on the tepals.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	pungens: prickly, puncturing
Habitat:
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native of tropical America, now a widespread weed in Africa
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 4. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 64. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 47. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 16. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 20. Townsend, C.C. (1988). Amaranthaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 124 - 127. (Includes a picture). Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 26. as Alternanthera repens (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Alternanthera pungens:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Alternanthera pungens
Flora of Caprivi: Alternanthera pungens
Flora of Malawi: Alternanthera pungens
Flora of Mozambique: Alternanthera pungens
Flora of Zambia: Alternanthera pungens
Flora of Zimbabwe: Alternanthera pungens

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Alternanthera pungens
African Plant Database: Alternanthera pungens
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Alternanthera pungens
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Alternanthera pungens
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Alternanthera pungens
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Alternanthera pungens
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Alternanthera pungens
JSTOR Plant Science: Alternanthera pungens
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Alternanthera pungens
Plants of the World Online: Alternanthera pungens
Tropicos: Alternanthera pungens
Wikipedia: Alternanthera pungens