4. Alternanthera maritima (Martius) A. St.-Hilaire, Voy. Distr. Diam. 2: 437. 1833.
Seaside joyweed
Bucholzia maritima Martius, Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 2: 50, plate 147. 1826; Achyranthes maritima (Martius) Standley
Herbs, perennial, 3-20 dm. Stems procumbent or prostrate, glabrous. Leaves sessile; blade oblong, oblanceolate, obovate, or oval, 2-6 × 0.8-3 cm, succulent, apex obtuse to acute, mucronate, glabrous. Inflorescences axillary, sessile; heads white to stramineous, globose to ovoid, 0.6-1 × 0.6-0.8 cm; bracts about 1/2 as long as tepals. Flowers: tepals monomorphic, stramineous, striate, lanceolate, 4-5 mm, rigid margins coriaceous, apex acuminate, glabrous; stamens 5; anthers 5, oblong; pseudostaminodes lanceolate, equaling or exceeding filaments, margins fimbriate. Utricles included within tepals , stramineous, subglobose, ca. 1.5 mm, apex acute. Seeds subglobose, 1.5 mm.
Flowering winter-spring. Sandy beaches, hammocks; 0 m; Fla.; West Indies; South America; Africa.
