More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Flowers of Zihuatanejo
Alternanthera
Alternanthera (Genus)
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Pinks, Cactuses, and Allies (Order Caryophyllales)
-Amaranths (Family Amaranthaceae)
-Subfamily Gomphrenoideae
-Genus Alternanthera
Alternanthera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae, commonly known as joyweeds. The flowers of Alternanthera are small and usually white, arranged in compact, papery clusters that sit in the leaf axils or at the tips of stems. Alternanthera occupy a wide range of habitats, from moist soils and wetlands to disturbed ground and roadsides.
Description
• Alternanthera is a genus of flowering plants in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Its members include annual and perennial herbs, some of which grow upright while others spread along the ground. The leaves are usually opposite, with shapes ranging from oval to lance-shaped. The small, inconspicuous flowers are clustered into compact, rounded or elongated heads and are often white, cream, or greenish. Some species develop reddish or purplish foliage.
Range
• Alternanthera is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with some species occurring naturally in other parts of the world. Several species have spread widely through cultivation or naturalization. The genus is represented in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• Species of Alternanthera occupy a variety of habitats, including tropical dry forest, grassland, coastal areas, wetlands, roadsides, and disturbed ground. Some prefer moist soils near streams or ponds, while others thrive in sunny, dry or disturbed sites. Their growth habits and moisture requirements vary considerably by species.