Joyweed
Alternanthera nodiflora

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It can be erect, lie along the ground or curve upwards. It grows 2-100 cm high. It has a woody rootstock. The flowers are white.

There are 200 Alternanthera species. It is a threatened plant in Tasmania.

Where it is found

It is a tropical or warm climate plant. It grows on moist alluvial sand and clay. It grows in wet grassland savannah and in flooded rice fields. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Tasmania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is usually a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bocha, Borovoro, Kanabaw, Mahlare

Synonyms

Alternanthera sessilis var. nodiflora (R. Br.) Kuntze;