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smooth joyweed
Scientific Name: Alternanthera paronichyoides var. paronichyoides
Family: Amaranthaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Smooth Joyweed (Alternanthera paronychioides)
Alternanthera paronychioides, commonly known as smooth joyweed, is a forb/herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Alternanthera paronychioides A. St.-Hil.
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Common Names: Smooth joyweed, joyweed, Joseph's coat
- Synonyms: Achyranthes paronichyoides auct. non (L.) Lam., Illecebrum ficoideum Jacquin.
- Varieties:
- Alternanthera paronychioides A. St.-Hil. var. amazonica Huber
- Alternanthera paronychioides A. St.-Hil. var. paronychioides A. St.-Hil.
Distribution and Habitat
Alternanthera is a genus with many species occurring in the tropical Americas, as well as in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Alternanthera paronychioides is native to Texas and other states within the United States.
Ecological Role
Smooth joyweed is related to several species that are considered invasive, such as sessile joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis) and alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). Weed risk assessments have been conducted on related species in Florida.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Smooth Joyweed is a forb/herb, which means it is a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
- It is a perennial plant.
Quirky Facts
- The Japanese name for Smooth Joyweed may be "Ke tsuru no geitou."
Further Information
- USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
- The Plant List
- ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
- BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
- Garden Guides provides plant and gardening information.