Alternanthera pungens from Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi

[Gurcharan Singh]

Alternanthera pungens Kunth, F. W. H. A. von Humboldt et al., Nov. gen. sp. 2:165[folio]; 2:206[quarto]. 1818

Syn:  Achyranthes repens L., Alternanthera achyrantha (L.) R. Br.,  Alternanthera repens (L.) Link,  Illecebrum achyrantha L.

Common name: Khaki weed

Prostrate mat-forming perennial, much branched with prostrate branches; leaves broadly rhomboid-ovate to obovate, 1.5-4 cm long; inflorescence sessile globose , up to 1 cm across; tepals unequal, with sharp spiny tips.

The species is quite distinct but often confused with A. paronychoides, and the plant of latter is still labelled as A. pungens at FOI website.

A. pungens is a plant of dry wastelands and has much larger broader leaves, stiffer branches and very spiny tepals. It is very common in Delhi. A. paronychoides is a plant of web habitats with softer almost succulent stems, smaller narrower leaves and softer whitish tepals without sharp (pungent) tips. I am uploading that separately.

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Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.
Phone: 011-25518297  Mob: 9810359089
http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/

[Balkar Arya]

Also common in our Area Thanks Sir for detailed information about This

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Regards

Dr Balkar Singh
Head, Deptt. of Botany and Biotechnology
Arya P G College, Panipat
Haryana-132103
09416262964