Acmella radicans
radicans
Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (15)
North Luangwa NP
may 2010
Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm
May 2010
Photo: Mike Bingham
Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps
Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Spilanthes radicans Jacq. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Naturalized, introduced; not cultivated |
| Description: |
Annual herb 6-30 cm tall (exceptionally to 2.8 m tall per Ian Riddell); stems erect to ascending, rarely rooting at the nodes, green to purple, glabrous to pilose. Leaves ovate to narrowly ovate, 1-8 cm long, 1-5 cm wide, base attenuate, margins denticulate to dentate, apex acute, glabrous to sparsely pilose, and with hispid margins, petiole 4-37 mm long. Capitula solitary or in groups of 2-3, long-stalked, elongate-conical, discoid, 6-11 mm long, 5-9 mm in diameter; phyllaries 6-9, 2-seriate, 4-7 mm long. Disc florets many, greenish white or white, 1.6-2 mm long. Achenes black, 2-2.7 mm long, ciliate; pappus of 2-3 unequal bristles 0.4-1.6 mm long. |
| Type location: |
Venezuela |
| Notes: | This species was rare, in Lusaka at least, when I first recorded it in a maize field in 1991. It has since become one of the most widespread and common ruderals in the country, often exceeding Ageratum conyzoides in abundance. |
| Derivation of specific name: | radicans: rooting at the nodes. |
| Habitat: | Road drains, footpaths, fallow land. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | Fl. Apr-Jul |
| Worldwide distribution: | Native of Central and South America, becoming a widespread weed. |
| FZ divisions: | N,W,C,S |
| Zambian distribution (Provinces): | Nw,N,Mc,Lk,S |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Thursday 6 April 2017 |
| Literature: |
Beentje, H.J. & Ghazanfar, S.A. (eds.) (2005). Compositae (Part 3) Flora of Tropical East Africa Page 733. Jansen, R.K. (1985). Acmella radicans (Jacq.) Syst. Bot. Monogr. 8 (69) |
Other sources of information about Acmella radicans var. radicans:
Our websites:
Flora of Malawi: Acmella radicans var. radicansFlora of Zimbabwe: Acmella radicans var. radicans
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Acmella radicansAfrican Plant Database: Acmella radicans
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Acmella radicans
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Acmella radicans
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Acmella radicans
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Acmella radicans
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Acmella radicans
JSTOR Plant Science: Acmella radicans
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Acmella radicans
Plants of the World Online: Acmella radicans
Tropicos: Acmella radicans
Wikipedia: Acmella radicans