Achyranthes bettzickiana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• calico-plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Telanthera bettzickiana var. spathulata
• Telanthera amoena
• Alternanthera amoena
• Alternanthera paronychioides var. bettzickiana
• Alternanthera tenella var. bettzickiana
• Alternanthera amoena f. amabilis
• Alternanthera amoena var. spectabilis
• Alternanthera nagnifica
• Alternanthera kerberi
• Alternanthera spathulata
• Telanthera cyclophylla
• Telanthera bettzickiana
• Jeilium tricolor
• Telanthera picta
• Alternanthera articulata
• Achyranthes bettzickiana
• Alternanthera articulata f. capitellata
• Alternanthera articulata f. capitulifera
• Achyranthes amabilis
• Alternanthera articulata var. minuta
• Alternanthera amabilis
• Achyranthes cyclophylla
• Alternanthera amabilis var. tricolor
• Achyranthes picta
• Telanthera amoena var. amabilis
• Alternanthera amoena f. reinhardii
• Alternanthera amoena f. rosea
• Alternanthera amoena f. sessilis
• Alternanthera amoena f. spectabilis
• Alternanthera amoena f. typica
• Alternanthera latifolia magnifica
• Alternanthera cyclophylla
• Alternanthera coerilis
• Alternanthera bettzickiana f. aurea
• Alternanthera bettzickiana f. kurzii
• Alternanthera bettzickiana var. spathulata
• Alternanthera bettzickiana f. spathulata
• Alternanthera ficoidea var. amoena
• Alternanthera ficoidea var. bettzickiana
• Alternanthera ficoidea var. spathulata
• Alternanthera sessilis var. amoena
• Alternanthera purpurea
• Amarantesia brasiliensis
• Alternanthera variegata
• Alternanthera versicolor f. aurea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Alternanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across several different continents and climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be noted in Belgium, while it also extends into Southeastern Europe through regions like Bulgaria and Sicilia. Moving toward the African continent, the species is found within the tropical landscapes of West Tropical Africa, specifically in Guinea. Additionally, it inhabits the West-Central Tropical Africa region, with documented occurrences in Rwanda. Through these diverse locations, the plant demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt to various global environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alternanthe bettzickeriana is characterized by a broad environmental adaptability, allowing it to thrive across a diverse range of elevations from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, colonizing various specialized biomes including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and the Floresta Estacional Decidual. Furthermore, its ability to inhabit Áreas Antrópicas indicates a high tolerance for human-disturbed landscapes, enabling it to persist in modified environments where other more sensitive species might fail.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual

Life history

The life history of Alternanthera bettzickiana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, although its growth patterns can appear variable depending on environmental conditions and management practices. As a long-lived plant, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often exhibiting a spreading or trailing habit that allows it to colonize ground space effectively over multiple seasons. While it can function with the vigor of an annual in certain climates, its fundamental biological strategy is geared toward long-term survival and vegetative expansion. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust root system that supports consistent foliage production and seasonal resilience, allowing it to persist through various growth cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alternanthe bettzickiana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant typically reaches a plant height of approximately 0.5 m, with both its mean and maximum recorded heights settling at this value. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite, and it maintains a self-supporting habit rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine. Furthermore, it is a strictly terrestrial species, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alternanthe bettzickiana is characterized by its efficient photosynthetic processes and its specialized metabolic adaptations to varying light intensities. As a member of the Amaranthaceae family, the plant utilizes a C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows for enhanced carbon fixation efficiency, particularly in high-temperature and high-light environments, by minimizing photorespiration. This metabolic efficiency supports its rapid vegetative growth and the production of vibrant pigments, such as anthocyanins, which are responsible for its distinctive foliage coloration. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic capabilities, Alternanthe bettzickiana does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate. Its physiological regulation of transpiration and water use is highly responsive to environmental humidity, enabling it to maintain turgor pressure and metabolic activity across diverse ornamental landscapes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alternanthera bettzickiana has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Glycosides

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Saponins

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Tannins

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Terpenoids

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Conditions

Alternanthera bettzickiana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis.

Arthritis

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Alternanthera bettzickiana has 6 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous-methanolic and n-Hexane whole plant extracts, Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane extracts, Aqueous-methanolic extract, ethanolic extract, n-hexane and aqueous-methanolic whole plant extracts.

Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane whole plant extracts

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane extracts

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Aqueous-methanolic extract

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Ethanolic extract

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

N-hexane and aqueous-methanolic whole plant extracts

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

N-hexane extract

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)