Alternanthera sp. 1

Prostrate, usually stoutly taprooted perennial with stems to c. 15 cm long, sometimes rooting from lower nodes, pubescent (at least when young) along opposite lines on internerves and at nodes. Leaves ovate to obovate, 5–15(–25) mm long, 2–8 mm wide, glabrescent; margins minutely, sometimes distantly, serrate. Flowers in axillary ovoid spikes, 3–8 mm long; bracts and bracteoles ovate, 0.5–1.5 mm long; tepals equal, ovate to lanceolate, usually 1.5–2.5(–3) mm long, 1–1.3 mm wide, white or pinkish, glabrous, often thickening and becoming fused with age toward the base; anthers usually 3, staminodes absent. Fruit obcordate, c. 1.5 mm long and wide.  Flowers Oct.–Mar.