Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Alternanthera caracasana
Alternanthera caracasana Kunth
Familia
AMARANTHACEAE
Sangradera de Caracas, Sanguinaria cubana, Verdolaga de puerco
Alternanthera caracasana (commonly known as Caracas bleeding herb, wild purslane or chicken herb) is a herbaceous, perennial plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Although native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, it has now become naturalised in many parts of the world as a ruderal species and, on occasion, as a persistent weed.
It develops pubescent (hairy) stems that grow completely close to the ground. This enables it to form dense ground cover and go easily unnoticed.
Due to its low-growing habit and strongly rooted stems, it withstands constant foot and animal traffic without suffering severe damage.
Its leaves are opposite, oval or rounded. Its inflorescences are small axillary glomerules (white or whitish) bearing spiny tepals, which act as ‘harpoons’ to attach to surfaces and spread the plant.
This plant thrives mainly in highly nitrified environments that have been altered by human activity. It is commonly found along roadsides and railway lines, on sandy ground, wasteland and farmland, and in compacted urban areas.
It is widely distributed across the southern United States, parts of Africa and southern Europe. In Spain, for example, it is widespread in areas such as Andalusia, Catalonia and the Valencian Community, and notably on the central and western islands of the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera), where it is classified as a non-invasive introduced species.
El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria
Sangradera de Caracas, Sanguinaria cubana, Verdolaga de puerco
Alternanthera caracasana (commonly known as Caracas bleeding herb, wild purslane or chicken herb) is a herbaceous, perennial plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Although native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, it has now become naturalised in many parts of the world as a ruderal species and, on occasion, as a persistent weed.
It develops pubescent (hairy) stems that grow completely close to the ground. This enables it to form dense ground cover and go easily unnoticed.
Due to its low-growing habit and strongly rooted stems, it withstands constant foot and animal traffic without suffering severe damage.
Its leaves are opposite, oval or rounded. Its inflorescences are small axillary glomerules (white or whitish) bearing spiny tepals, which act as ‘harpoons’ to attach to surfaces and spread the plant.
This plant thrives mainly in highly nitrified environments that have been altered by human activity. It is commonly found along roadsides and railway lines, on sandy ground, wasteland and farmland, and in compacted urban areas.
It is widely distributed across the southern United States, parts of Africa and southern Europe. In Spain, for example, it is widespread in areas such as Andalusia, Catalonia and the Valencian Community, and notably on the central and western islands of the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera), where it is classified as a non-invasive introduced species.
El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria
