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alligatorweed

Scientific Name: Alternanthera philoxeroides

Family: Amaranthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

Alternanthera philoxeroides, commonly known as alligator weed, is an aquatic plant recognized for its invasive nature.

Considerations for Pets

  • Alligator weed forms dense mats that can make shoreline access difficult, potentially posing a hazard for pets that frequent aquatic areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.
  • Common Names: Alligatorweed, alligator weed, pig weed.
  • Family: Amaranthaceae (Pigweed family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South America.
  • Has spread to many parts of the world, including the southern portions of the United States, Australia (specifically Queensland), and India (Wular Lake).
  • Found in a variety of habitats, including dry land and aquatic environments such as lakes, ponds, streams, ditches, and wetlands.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a Weed of National Significance in Australia due to its invasiveness.
  • Forms dense stands or mats, affecting waterways and floodplain areas.
  • Classified as a declared pest under Queensland legislation.
  • Can tolerate a variety of conditions and grows both on land and in water.
  • Spreads rapidly through seed production and/or fragmentation.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Emergent or rooted floating plant.
  • Perennial herb.
  • Forms floating mats.
  • Sparse hairs on the leaf base and stem.
  • Flowers are white, paper-like and ball shaped.
  • Leaves are opposite, entire, and linear-lanceolate.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The alligatorweed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) was the first insect studied for biological control of an aquatic weed.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite its name, alligator weed is native to South America, where there are no alligators.
  • It has been mistakenly grown as a garden vegetable in suburban areas.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database (Symbol: ALPH)
  • Invasive Plant Atlas
  • University of Georgia, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
  • New South Wales weeds website (for the alligator weed control manual)