Brazil chaff-flower, Brazilian joyweed
Alternanthera brasiliana

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows about 60-150 cm high. It is branched. It has swollen nodes. Young leaves are hairy. The leaves are oval to sword shaped and 5-12.5 cm long by 1.5-4.7 cm wide. The leaves can be red. The flowers are in a group at the top of the plant. These are 2-16 cm long. The flowers are in heads 1 cm long. The seeds are red or brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Benin, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Dominica, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Marquesas, Pacific, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Tuvalu, Venezuela, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten.

It is only a minor vegetable. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Caaponga, Choracheera, Chorakkerai, Djetandoye, Fleuman, Olowon'djedja, Purple alternanthera, Radie di vin, Radie marie-claire, Raziet di vin, Tomandohoundgbe

Synonyms

Gomphrena brasiliana L.; Philoxerus brasiliana (L.) Smith;