|
Alternanthera philoxeroides Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) Family  Alligator Weed is also known as Chaff-Flower. The plant is a perennial; lower stems lying on the ground and upper stems upright. Preferred habitat is near streams, ditches, lakes and ponds, usually with roots under water. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region. Leaves are opposite on the stem; stalked; spatula-shaped to widest at the middle. Flowers are head-like spikes in the leaf axil and at the tip of the flowering branches. Flowers are bisexual in nature and symmetrical in form. The calyx is four or five-lobed, petals absent, five stamens. Flowers occur in the summer. Fruit is a capsule
|