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Alternanthera denticulata

R. Br.

Narrow-leaved lesser joyweed

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(c) Luke R. Hardy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Luke R. Hardy

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(c) Adam Grubb, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Adam Grubb

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no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter de Lange

Alternanthera denticulata (common name lesser joyweed) is a small prostrate white-flowering herb in the Amaranthaceae family. It is native to all states and territories of Australia, New Guinea, and the North Island of New Zealand. It is also one of the food plants of the varied eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina nerina. The species was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown.

Description

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30 cm tall and spreads 50 cm wide. The leaves are a mid green colour. The flowers are pink to white.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten as greens.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs moist soils. It can tolerate light frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-12.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plans can be grown from cuttings.

References (3)

  • Checklist of NT Vascular Plant Species. January 2003.
  • Prodr. 417. 1810
  • Romanowski, N., 2007, Edible Water Gardens. Hyland House. p 49

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