Border plant, Calico plant
Alternanthera bettzickiana

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be erect or lie over and can form tillers at the base. It grows 20-50 cm high. It is branched and can form roots at the nodes. The stems are knobbly and swollen at each node. The young stems are angular. The leaves are opposite and entire. They are oval and have a tip at the end. They narrow to the base. The flowers are white and in round clusters. They have white bracts. The fruit is a thin walled capsule. There is one seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from the lowlands to the mountains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Brazil, China, East Africa, Ecuador (country/location of origin), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Marquesas, Mozambique, Pacific, Rotuma, Rwanda, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten cooked. They are also mixed with other vegetables.

Leaves are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be grown from cuttings and suckers.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season. Leaves can be dried and stored.

Its other names

Local names

Bayam merah, Bayem bang, Bayem merah, Cherucheera, Fiban discancel, Hóng mù ěr, Ira panka, Kuchi kul, Madranga, Mchicha, Michicha maua, Ponnankanni keerai

Synonyms

Alternanthera amabilis Lem.; Alternanthera amoena (Lem.) Voss; Alternanthera articulata O. Stutzer; Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Voss; Alternanthera coerilis Voss; Alternanthera cyclophylla (Seub.) Schinz; Alternanthera kerberi Uline & W. L. Bray; Alternanthera purpurea Pynaert; Alternanthera spathulata Lem.; Alternanthera variegata K. Koch; Alternanthera versicolor (Lem.) Regel; Amarantesia basiliensis (Regel) Regel; Telanthera bettzickiana Regel; Telanthera ficoidea var. versicolor Lem.;