Alligator Weed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Alligator Weed
• alligator-weed
• Helencha

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Achyranthes aphylla
• Alternanthera philoxeroides subf. philoxerina
• Achyranthes philoxeroides
• Mogiphanes philoxeroides
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. phyllantha
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. acutifolia
• Alternanthera philoxerina
• Achyranthes paludosa
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. acutifolia
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. denticulata
• Alternanthera philoxeroides f. acutifolia
• Alternanthera philoxeroides f. angustifolia
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. lancifolia
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. luxurians
• Telanthera philoxeroides
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. obtusifolia
• Bucholzia philoxeroides
• Brandesia martiana
• Alternanthera philoxeroides var. phyllantha
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. linearifolia
• Telanthera philoxeroides var. obtusifolia
• Celosia amphibia
• Bucholzia philoxeroides var. acutifolia
• Bucholzia philoxeroides var. obtusifolia
• Alternanthera aphylla

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Alternanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is documented within the countries of France and Spain. Its range extends further into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the territory of Italy. Moving toward the Indian Ocean, the species can also be found on the island of Mauritius. Finally, its distribution reaches East Asia, where it is located in South-Central China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alternanthera philoxeroides is characterized by its presence in specific environmental niches, primarily thriving within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) and aquatic vegetation (Vegetação Aquática) habitats. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 325 m AMSL. Its ability to colonize both human-disturbed landscapes and water-rich environments highlights its adaptability to varying moisture levels and anthropogenic influences within these low-to-mid altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Vegetação Aquática

Life history

The life history of Alternanthera philoxeroides is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, demonstrating a long-term survival strategy that allows it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and ecological niche, the plant functions as a hydrophyte, an adaptation that enables it to thrive in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Its structural survival strategy is further defined by its status as a cryptophyte, indicating that its regenerative buds are protected below the soil or water surface to endure unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hydrophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alternanthera philoxeroides is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It typically functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine, though it maintains a spreading habit. The plant is primarily terrestrial, though it exhibits an adaptable ecological niche as an aquatic or semiaquatic species. It is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a mean plant height of approximately 0.33 m, reaching a maximum height of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.33 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alternanthera philoxeroides is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and metabolic processes. The morphological dimensions of its foliage exhibit significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Similarly, the leaf width demonstrates a range from a minimum of 1 cm to a mean of 2.3 cm, though it can also be observed at a maximum width of 2 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Alternanthera philoxeroides is characterized by a highly versatile reproductive strategy that includes the presence of asexual reproduction. The plant utilizes an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, employing a wide array of mechanisms to spread its progeny, including anemochory (wind), zoochory (animals), autochory (self-dispersal), and hydrochory (water). This multifaceted approach to dispersal allows the species to colonize diverse environments effectively. While specific morphometric data for the seeds—such as a mean seed mass of 0 g, a mean seed length of 0 mm, and a mean seed width of 0 mm, along with all recorded minimum and maximum values for mass, length, and width being 0—indicate a lack of measurable scale in these specific datasets, the plant's ability to propagate through both sexual and asexual means ensures its robust survival and spread.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Reproduction asexual :

present

Seed length mean:

0 mm

Seed mass mean:

0 g

Seed width mean:

0 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alternanthera philoxeroides has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 24-Methylenecycloartanol, 3beta-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CATECHIN, Cycloeucalenol.

24-Methylenecycloartanol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

3beta-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CATECHIN

1. Journal of toxicology

Cycloeucalenol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoid

1. Journal of toxicology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of toxicology

Phaeophytin A

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Phytol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

TANNIC ACID

1. Journal of toxicology

Activities

Alternanthera philoxeroides has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticoagulant, Antioxidant.

Anticoagulant

1. Journal of toxicology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of toxicology

Medicinal Uses

Alternanthera philoxeroides has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include photosensitization.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations