Karan A. Rawlins,
University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Family: Amaranthaceae
Synonym(s):
Achyranthes sessilis, Alternanthera glabra,
Gomphrena sessilis L.
Duration: Annual, Perennial
Habit: Forb/Herb
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 1
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
Description: A low lying and sprawling herbaceous perennial, A. sessilis can range across the ground from 20-60 meters. Roots will often grow from nodes. Leaves are glabrous and grow directly from the stem. Leaf shapes are typically elliptical, oblong and oblanceolate and can range from 1.12-2.2 cm in length. Inflorescences grow at the axil and are sessile. The inflorescence is composed of small, white, ovate to lanceolate tepals. Fruits are small bladder-like structures containing one lenticular shaped seed. Seeds are roughly 0.9-1.1 mm long.
History: A. sessilis is a plant that is purchased for a water garden and over the internet for aquariums; and that is likely how it escaped. It is also widely used for different foods in Southeast Asia and Africa, as well as duck and pig feed. It has noxious, prohibited, or quarantine weed status in AL, AR, CA, FL, MA, MN, NC, OR, SC and VT.
Biology & Spread: Can grow in dry areas but can also live partially submerged in water. Seeds are the main reproduction strategy but roots can form at nodes. Seeds are spread by wind and water.
Ecological Threat: Covering large areas and very adaptable, A. sessilis can reduce crop yield in sugarcane, bananas and other cereal crops and infest wetland areas. Plants can block irrigation pipes and canals.
US Habitat: A. sessilis can survive in both wetlands and agricultural areas and is highly adaptable. It can be found invading floodplain wetlands, margins of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, ponds, reservoirs, tanks, marshes, swamps, wet low-lying ground, ephemeral pools, seasonal pans and damp forest.
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: Southern Asia
US States: AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MD, MN, MS, NC, OR, SC, TX, VT
Resembles/Alternatives:
Management: Mechanical: In Taiwanese rice fields hand-weeding is the most effective method since other cultural practices have proven ineffective.
Chemical: Can be controlled using amitrole. Also, repetitive applications of 2,4-D and MCPA are also moderately effective against this weed. Studies show A. sessilis is also susceptible to bensulfuron, oxadiazon and propanil but resistant to fenoxaprop and piperophos.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
Text References
Chiang MY, Leu IS, 1981. Weeds in Paddy Field and their Control in Taiwan. Weeds and Weed Control in Asia. Taiwan, China: Food and Fertiliser Technology Center.
Soerjani M, Kostermans AJGH, Tjitrosoepomo G, 1987. Weeds of Indonesia. Jakarta, Indonesia: Balai Pustaka, 716 pp.
Data Source
http://www.plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ALSE4
http://www.hear.org/pier/species/alternanthera_sessilis.htm
http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200006977
https://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Alternanthera+sessilis#:~:text=Alternanthera%20sessilis%20is%20a%20pest%20of%20sugarcane%2C%20a,used%20for%20food%20partly%20due%20to%20its%20abundance.
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.4404
Last Updated: 2024-02-09 by ARMO, TISI