Khaki weed, Paper thorns, Creeping chaffweed
Alternanthera pungens
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can grow as an annual or continue growing from year to year. It lies along the ground. It grows from 1-10 cm high. It can form mats. The flowers are white.
There are 200 Alternanthera species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows on a range of soils. It can be near creek banks and roadsides. It can grow in tropical and warm temperate places. It grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Gabon, Ghana, Greater Antilles, Guinea, Guinée, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves, stems, vegetable
How it is grown
It is available throughout the year in tropical places.
Its other names
Local names
Aguape miry, Ashpa-quishca, Carrapichinho, Den nhon, E-su, Gandhimul, Kosangui, Lluta lluta, Monyaki-nyoi, Periquito-de-espinho, Poaya, Quiscua yuy, Quishca yuyo, Rau chieu, Yerba del pajarito, Yerba del pollo
Synonyms
Alternanthera repens (Linn.) Link; Alternanthera achyrantha (L.) Sweet; Achyranthes repens L.; Celosia echinata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.; Illecebrum achyrantha L.; Paronychia achyrantha (L.) Desf.; and others