Alternanthera nahui facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alternanthera nahui
Alternanthera nahui
Scientific classification
Genus:	Alternanthera
Species:	nahui

Alternanthera nahui, also known as nahui, is a type of plant. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. This plant grows naturally in New Zealand and on Norfolk Island.

What Does Alternanthera nahui Look Like?

This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It has a thin main root that grows straight down. Its stems are quite slender, about 1.5 to 3.0 millimeters wide. They often grow along the ground.

You can tell Alternanthera nahui apart from a similar plant, Alternanthera sessilis. Alternanthera nahui has thinner leaves. Its flower parts (called tepals) have a ridge, like the keel of a boat. It also has shorter staminodes (parts that look like stamens but don't produce pollen) and a shorter style (part of the female flower organ).

Who Discovered and Named Alternanthera nahui?

Scientists first officially described Alternanthera nahui in 2009. The scientists who named it were Peter Brian Heenan, Peter James de Lange, and J. Keeling.

Why Is It Sometimes Confused with Other Plants?

According to a plant database called Plants of the World Online, Alternanthera nahui does not have any other official scientific names.

However, another group, NZPCN, notes that people have sometimes mistakenly called it Alternanthera sessilis. This shows how some plants can look very similar!

Where Does Alternanthera nahui Grow?

This plant likes to grow near the coast and in lowland areas. You can find it in places that are wet, either all the time or only during certain seasons.

Is Alternanthera nahui Endangered?

In 2018, scientists like Peter James de Lange assessed the plant's conservation status. They used the New Zealand Threat Classification System. They found that Alternanthera nahui is "Not Threatened." This means it has a large and stable population, so it is not currently at risk of disappearing.