*Alternanthera pungens

Family Amaranthaceae

Khaki Weed

Prostrate ephemeral or perennial herb with deep taproot. Trailing stems to 60 cm, rooting at the nodes.

Flowers: Spring – summer.

Fruit: Indehiscent, 1-seeded, surrounding bracts forming burr-like structure. Dispersed by adhesion to animals, machinery and vehicles.

Seed: 1.5 mm diameter, round.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

  • Native to Central and South America
  • Weed of roadsides and disturbed sites
  • Occasional weed on roadsides at the Australian Botanic Garden

Asterisk * indicates exotic species naturalised at the Australian Botanic Garden.

Ecology of Cumberland Plain Woodland

Alternanthera pungens plant

Alternanthera pungens flower