(Redirected from Alternanthera versicolor)

We have followed the treatment in GRIN, but some treatments see Alternanthera bettzickiana as a synonym of Alternanthera paronychioides A.St.-Hil.[].
The specific name is sometimes spelt bettzichiana[].

Common Name:

General Information

Alternanthera bettzickiana is a herbaceous perennial plant, often with variegated leaves, growing 20 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible leaves. It is widely grown as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical gardens, being valued especially for the colourfully variegated leaves[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Probably originated in Brazil, but widely cultivated and found through much of the tropics and subtropics.

Habitat

Probably unknown as a truly wild plant, it sometimes escapes from cultivation and is found in open, sunny sites at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to partial shade[]. Prefers an organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil[].
Plants can flower throughout the year[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[, , ]. Mild flavoured, they can be eaten in salads or boiled and used as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

The cooked vegetable is given to anaemic children in order to improve their health[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has an extensive root system and is cultivated in plantations as a ground cover and to prevent soil erosion[].
The plant can be trimmed and grown as a low hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings

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