Alternanthera maritima
Voy. Distr. Diam. 2: 437. 1833.
Herbs, perennial, 3–20 dm. Stems procumbent or prostrate, glabrous. Leaves sessile; blade oblong, oblanceolate, obovate, or oval, 2–6 × 0.8–3 cm, succulent, apex obtuse to acute, mucronate, glabrous. Inflorescences axillary, sessile; heads white to stramineous, globose to ovoid, 0.6–1 × 0.6–0.8 cm; bracts about 1/2 as long as tepals. Flowers: tepals monomorphic, stramineous, striate, lanceolate, 4–5 mm, rigid margins coriaceous, apex acuminate, glabrous; stamens 5; anthers 5, oblong; pseudostaminodes lanceolate, equaling or exceeding filaments, margins fimbriate. Utricles included within tepals, stramineous, subglobose, ca. 1.5 mm, apex acute. Seeds subglobose, 1.5 mm.
Phenology: Flowering winter–spring.
Habitat: Sandy beaches, hammocks
Elevation: 0 m
Distribution
Fla., West Indies, South America, Africa
Discussion
Selected References
None.