Alternanthera nana R.Br.

Brown, R. (1810) Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 417. Type: v.v.

Hairy Joyweed

Prostrate, ascending or erect herb. Leafy stems clothed in erect white hairs.

Leaf blades about 17-30 x 8-12 mm. Upper surface glabrous, lower surface with hairs along the midrib when young.

Inflorescence sessile in the axils, globose to ovoid, 5-10 x 6 mm; rachis woolly; bracts ovate, acute; perianth segments 2-3 mm long, oblong or oblong-lanceolate with short acute apex, glabrous. Stamens 4 or 5; staminodes 1 or 0, filaments filiform, slightly thickened at base.

Fruits borne in a tightly-packed head-like structure. Each fruit about 2 x 2 mm, enclosed in the perianth remnants. Seeds about 1.5 x 1.5 mm. Embryo U-shaped, cotyledons shorter than the radicle. Radicle about 0.8-1. mm long.

Features not available.

Occurs in Western Australia, central parts of the Northern Territory, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards into New South Wales. Grows in vine thickets.

Suspected of causing death of sheep (Webb 1948).