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(Alternanthera littoralis)
Beach Alternanthera (Alternanthera littoralis)
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© Victor Farjalla Pontes
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
© Victor Farjalla Pontes
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: © Victor Farjalla Pontes | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: vfarjalla | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Highland Park, Illinois
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 17" - 175" | 35" | Your precipitation may be insufficient for this plant. Irrigate N" / year. | Irrigate N" / year |
| • High Temp. | 75°F - 94°F | 82°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | 55°F - 71°F | 14°F | Your winter temperatures may be too cold for this plant | Too cold |
This plant should grow well at your location with about N inches per year (Y minutes per month) of irrigation.
Summary
Alternanthera littoralis, commonly known as Beach Alternanthera, is an evergreen perennial herb native to coastal sand dunes and beachfront areas of the Caribbean and parts of Brazil and Western Africa. It typically grows to a height and width of approximately 1 foot (0.3 meters), forming a dense mat of foliage. The leaves are small, elliptic to spatulate, and green to grayish-green in color. Beach Alternanthera produces inconspicuous white flowers during the spring and winter months, which are often overlooked due to the attractiveness of the foliage.
Beach Alternanthera is valued for its ability to stabilize sandy soils and its use as a ground cover in coastal landscapes. It is tolerant of salt spray and sandy conditions, making it suitable for seaside gardens. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and medium amounts of water, with a preference for well-drained soils. While it is not commonly used in urban planting, it can be an excellent choice for border planting in coastal areas. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread vigorously and may require regular pruning to keep it in check.CC BY-SA 4.0
Beach Alternanthera is valued for its ability to stabilize sandy soils and its use as a ground cover in coastal landscapes. It is tolerant of salt spray and sandy conditions, making it suitable for seaside gardens. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and medium amounts of water, with a preference for well-drained soils. While it is not commonly used in urban planting, it can be an excellent choice for border planting in coastal areas. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread vigorously and may require regular pruning to keep it in check.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.2 feet
- Width: 0.833-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Groundcover, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
native to coastal sand dunes and beachfront areas of the Caribbean and parts of Brazil and Western Africa
Other Names
Common Names: Sanguinaria
Scientific Names: Alternanthera littoralis, Alternanthera achyranthoides, Alternanthera maritima var. africana
GBIF Accepted Name: Alternanthera littoralis P.Beauverd ex Moq.