Red- leaved alternanthera

Herbaceous perennial, commonly planted in both amenity and home gardens to provide year-round colour. Previously Alternanthera dentata ‘Rubiginosa’.

Weed Category:	Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
Weed:	Yes
Form or habit:	Herb
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Leaf:	Simple Opposite Dark green to purple leaves, tapered at each end, become red to purplish the more sunlight they receive.
Flower conspicuous:	Conspicuous
Flower colour:	White, Cream
Flower description:	Many small, white to creamy, papery flowers in axillary ‘heads’.
Fruit conspicuous:	Inconspicuous
Fruit colour:
Fruit:	Dry
Fruit description:	Tiny, one-seeded dry fruit, long lived.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity:	No toxicity known
Origin:	Sub-tropical America
Notes:	Spread by: garden waste, self layers and grows from cuttings and seed. Invades/threats: environmentally sensitive areas with well drained but moist soils, creek lines, open forests and disturbed areas - particularly around garden waste dumping sites. Is capable of forming dense populations that dominate the ground layer. Still being used in horticulture.
Information sources:	Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition.