Alternanthera pungens, Kunth

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 110-111

1. A. pungens Kunth in Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 2:206 (1818).

Perennial. Stems somewhat woody at base, pubescent. Leaves ovate or obovate, shortly petiolate. Inflorescences sessile, 2-3 together, ovoid. Flowers subtended by 2 boat-shaped,

pungent bracteoles. Three outer perianth-segments longer than the 2 inner 2 with points c. | as long as the whole, the other and the inner ones with short slender points; all with small tufts of short retrorsely barbed hairs. Filaments and the teeth between them about as long as the anthers. Perhaps naturalized in S. W. Europe, but uncertain owing to confusion with 2, to which all specimens seen belong. (Temperate South America.)