Danta / Aligator Weed
Alternanthera philoxeroides
- Habit
- Herb
- Found in India
- West Bengal, Kerala, Telangana & more
- Flowering
- May-November
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Alternanthera philoxeroides
- Genus
- Alternanthera
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Habit
- Herb
- Native to
- South America, now established in Indo-Malaysia and Australia
- Found in India
- West Bengal, Kerala, Telangana, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka
- Flowering & fruiting
- May-November
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Arrangement
- Variable
Typical of the Amaranthaceae family — a field-mark hint, not measured for this exact species.
Flower & fruit characters
Typical of the Amaranthaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.
Local Names
- Bengali
- Danta, মালঞ্চ শাক, মদরংগা
- Kannada
- ದೊಡ್ಡಹೊನಗೊನೆ Dodda honagone, ಮೊಸಳೆಹೊನಗೊನೆ Mosale honagone
About Danta
Aligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is a herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family (Amaranth family). Members of this family are generally characterised by alternate/opposite simple leaves, spike/panicle flower clusters, utricle/achene fruit. It is usually grown in outdoor settings. It is native to South America, now established in Indo-Malaysia and Australia. Flowering and fruiting are typically seen during May-November. The species is valued in traditional medicine.
Amaranthaceae
Amaranth family
Danta belongs to the Amaranthaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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