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Alternanthera pungens Kunth

Synonyms

Alternanthera achyrantha, Alternanthera lorentzii, Alternanthera repens

Common names

Khaki Burr

My notes

Only found in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms, where it often forms dense carpet in fall.

Extract from Wikipedia article

Alternanthera pungens Kunth is a creeping, prostrate perennial pioneer plant of the Amaranthaceae family, spreading by seed and vegetatively, with roots often developing at the nodes of spreading stems. A plant of roadsides, path verges and waste places (ruderal), it is thought to have come from Central and South America, and to have become widely established in Australia and Southern Africa. Other species of this genus, e.g. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC., have long been recorded from Tropical Africa, and would be difficult to prove as invaders.[+]

AI-generated description

Alternanthera pungens, also known as Khaki Weed, is a prostrate, herbaceous perennial native to South America. In Qatar, it has been naturalized and is considered an invasive species. Studies have found that A. pungens grows abundantly in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and construction sites, where it can outcompete native vegetation. Its presence has been reported in various regions of Qatar, including Doha and the surrounding desert areas. The plant's adaptability to arid environments and ability to thrive in poor soil conditions have contributed to its spread in the country.

Close up of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Carpet of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Mats of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) carpeting the ground on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) growing among spurge on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) growing among prostrate spurge on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) and spurge Euphorbia prostrata on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) growing on sandy road on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014

Close up of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, November 15, 2014

Fresh leaves of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on a field on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, April 10, 2015

Spreading of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, August 21, 2015

Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015

Carpet of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015

Dense infestation by Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015

Close up of Khaki Burr weed (Alternanthera pungens) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015

AI-generated summary of observations

Alternanthera pungens, also known as Khaki Burr weed, was observed growing abundantly on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms, south-western Qatar. It formed dense carpets and mats, covering large areas of the ground. The plant was seen growing among other species, such as spurge and prostrate spurge, and was also found on sandy roads. Observations were made over several months, from October 2014 to October 2015, with the plant showing no signs of decline. In fact, its infestation appeared to be dense and widespread, suggesting that it is a highly adaptable and resilient species in this environment. The plant's growth was observed in various stages, including close-ups of its leaves and flowers, and its ability to spread quickly and form large colonies.

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How the web page was created

A list of plants with their common names was written using online sources and books.
Web pages were written by a program consisting of several scripts.
Full names, synonyms, and classification of plants were found online from catalogueoflife.org and theplantlist.org using a script.
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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.