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West Indian joyweed

Scientific Name: Alternanthera crucis

Family: Amaranthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

West Indian Joyweed (Alternanthera crucis)

Common Names

  • West Indian Joyweed

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that plants of the genus Alternanthera are generally known as joyweeds or Joseph's coat. This widespread presence might increase the likelihood of pets encountering the plant.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that plants of the genus Alternanthera are generally known as joyweeds or Joseph's coat. This widespread presence might increase the likelihood of children encountering the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Alternanthera crucis (Moq.) Boldingh
  • Family: Amaranthaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Divisio: Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)
  • Synonyms: Achyranthes portoricensis (Kuntze) Standl.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to tropical America, from Mexico and the West Indies southwards.
  • Also found in Brazil, Central America (Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua), and the Caribbean.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Grown habit: Forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass)
  • Duration: Perennial
  • Grown for its richly colored foliage, dense habit.
  • Grows up to 3 feet tall.
  • Can be grown as a bedding annual in colder regions.

Ecological Role

  • Some species of Alternanthera are considered invasive in certain regions. For example, Alternanthera sessilis (Sessile joyweed) is noted as an invasive plant that competes with crops in areas of Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
  • Purple joyweed or ruby leaf alternanthera has about 200 America, the Caribbean, tropical South America, Asia, and Australia.

Cultivation

  • Fertilization is recommended in the spring every 20-25 days with a specific fertilizer for flowering plants.

Related Species

  • Alternanthera achyranthes
  • Alternanthera flavescens (yellow joyweed)
  • Alternanthera denticulata (lesser joyweed)
  • Alternanthera maritima (seaside joyweed)
  • Alternanthera brasiliana (Brazilian Joyweed)
  • Alternanthera dentata

Further Information

  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
  • efloras.org