Alternanthera pungens

Prostrate perennial with pubescent stems spreading to c. 50 cm long. Leaves broadly obovate to circular, mostly 1.5–3 cm long, 8–15 mm wide, pubescent toward base on lower surface; margins entire; apex often shortly mucronate. Flowers in axillary ovoid spikes, 6–10 mm long; bracts and bracteoles 2–3 mm long; perianth 3.5–5 mm long, the 2 outer abaxial tepals acuminate, spine-tipped, longer than adaxial tepal and inner 2 tepals, all with small woolly tufts toward base; anthers 3–5, staminal cup irregularly toothed at summit, anthers 3–5. Fruit broadly ovate, c. 1.3 mm long. Flowers Mar.–Apr.