Ammannia latifolia L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Lythraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Ammannia latifolia L.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Erect, glabrous subshrub to 1 m tall, unbranched or with lateral branches on distal portion of main stem; stems 4-angled, reddish, with 4 longitudinal ribs, one along each corner. Leaves sessile, ascending, 1.5-7.5 x 0.5-1.5 cm, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex acute or obtuse, the base of lower leaves cuneate, those of upper leaves auriculate, clasping the stem, the margins entire. Flowers 1-3 in axillary cymes; bracts minute, oblong, persistent; peduncles 0-3 mm long, stout; hypanthium urn-shaped, faintly 8-keeled; calyx teeth triangular, alternating with accessory teeth; petals 4, pale pink to white, ca. 1 mm long, early deciduous; stamens 4-8, included; style to 0.5 mm long, the stigma capitate. Capsule nearly globose, 4-6 mm diam., the hypanthium persistent, smooth. Seeds numerous, nearly ovoid, 0.4-0.5 mm long, light brown.

  • Distribution

    Occasional in salt flats along coastal areas. Annaberg (A2922). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola; eastern North America, the West Indies, and scattered throughout South America.

    South America| West Indies| North America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|