Pink cress
Alternanthera versicolor

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A slender herb. It can be erect or lie over. It has many branches. It is almost without hairs. The stems are reddish and 20-60 cm long. The leaves are broadly oval or spoon shaped. They have a long leaf stalk. The leaf blades are 1-6 cm long. They are green, red or purplish. The flower heads are in the axils of leaves. They occur singly without stalks and are oval. They are 5-8 mm long. They are slightly hairy.

There are 200 Alternanthera species. It is often grown as an ornamental plant.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Central Africa, Central America, Gabon, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are added to salads. They can be boiled and used as a pot herb. They are eaten with fish or meat dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kutsarita, Lofai, Taguhug

Synonyms

Now Alternanthera pulchella