BioStudies Exotic Species Identification Guide

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum spp.) flower petals (6) are reddishpurple to lilac; flowers may be single and in leaf axils (but with definitive petals) in native species like L. lineare or in larger, dense spike in exotic purple loosestrife (L. salicaria) Waterwillow (Justicia spp. = Dianthera) flowers are small, but with 4 definite petals colored in white and purple (orchid-like). Water smartweed (Polygonum spp.) leaves are alternate (not opposite); produces clusters of small, pink flowers (some flower clusters may be very pale and appear white). COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE: Although it is sometimes eaten by wildlife and domestic animals, alligatorweed is generally considered to be of little value. It is of no interest to the aquarium trade or aquaculture, but is sometimes eaten as vegetable in Sri Lanka and Australia (at times when confused with a related species, sessile joy weed A. sessilis). Other species in the genus have gained increasing popularity as aquarium and flower-garden plants. REASONS FOR RESTRICTION: Alligatorweed can form dense mats that block access to water and to boat traffic, displace more valuable native plants, and can harbor mosquitoes and other undesirable animals. Infestations in Texas and elsewhere have required control. Biological controls like release of alligatorweed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) and other insects have sometimes provided local success, but have been used with limited impacts at other locations. Alligatorweed is legally prohibited by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Department of Agriculture.

ALLIGATORWEED (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

Family: Amaranthaceae

OTHER NAMES: Alligator weed, alligator-weed, chaff-flower, Achyranthes philoxeroides, and Thelanthera philoxeroides.

Robert G. Howells BioStudies

160 Bearskin Trail, Kerrville, Texas 78028 biostudies@hctc.net May 2009
Images and materials herein are not available for reuse or other applications without written permission of the author.

Alligatorweed is native to South America. This exotic plant was introduced in U.S. waters in the 1950s, but with some suggesting it may have arrived as early as 1894. It apparently was accidentally relocated in ship ballast. It spread rapidly and now has populations from Virginia to Florida and Texas, with other introductions in California, Central America, Australia, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. Noxious growth levels have resulted at many sites. This invasive macrophyte grows in still lakes, ponds, and canals as well as in flowing rivers and streams. It rarely occurs at depths greater than 6 ft (2 m), but may establish surface-floating mats, develop as an emergent in shallows, or even establish in damp, shore-zone areas. It prefers nutrient-rich waters and can occur in fresh and brackish waters. U.S. populations rarely produce viable seed and hence few seedlings. Reproduction and spread usually reflects vegetative means like fragmentation. Biocontrol efforts using insects that prey upon alligatorweed have had levels of success at some locations.

DESCRIPTON: This plant produces long, tangled mats that often root from the joints (nodes). Upright stems (to 24 inches/610 mm above the water) may be hollow if submerged or solid in more terrestrial situations; stems may be branching or straight. Leaves are oppositely positioned on the stem, thick and fleshy, smooth edged and oval to lance shaped (0.8-4.3 inches/20-109 mm long and 0.2-0.8 inches/5-20 mm wide). Flowers lack petals and are small, white, and occur in clusters (0.5 inches/13 mm wide) of 6-20 on long stems which arise from leaf axils (angle between the leaf and stem). Plants are usually yellow-green in color, but submerged leaves may be reddish-brown. SIMILAR SPECIES: This genus includes two native chaff flower species (mat chaff flower, A. caracasana, and smooth chaff flower, A. paranychioides) and two exotics (A. pungens and A. tenella). Other exotic alternantheras are widely available in the aquarium trade as well as in horticulture. Other species, including those in Texas, usually have sessile flowers (flowers with little or no stem) placed in the leaf axils (alligatorweed flowers are placed on long stems). Many of the species sold for aquarium or flowergarden culture have brightly colored leaves (and sometimes flowers) of red or purple, particularly on the lower leaf surface. Several other emergent aquatic plants could be mistaken for alligatorweed including: Water primroses (Ludwigia spp.) leaves alternate or opposite; flowers with 4-5 (none in some) larger, yellow petals, leaves reddish in many species. Yellow loosestrifes (Lysimachia spp.) flowers with 6 yellow petals, often in open clusters.

ALLIGATORWEED A. philoxeroides flowers on long stems

MAT CHAFF-FLOWER A. caracasana flowers sessile (without stocks) in leaf axils

RED HYGROPHILA A. reineckii Aquarium trade strain

Water primroses (Ludwigia spp.) can resemble alligatorweed, but have flowers with yellow petals and may have reddish foliage.

Waterwillow (Justicia spp.; left) has white and purple flowers and water smartweed (Polygonum spp.; right) has pink or white clusters of small flowers. Both may be mistaken for alligatorweed.