Alternanthera, Calico-Plant,

Joseph’s Coat

Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) Palisot de Beauvois, Fl. Oware. 2: 66. 1818 (as ficoides) and derivatives

all-tur-NAN-thur-ah fye-COID-ee-ah

Amaranthaceae

Explanation of name: From FNA: Latin alternans, alternating, and anthera, anther, referring to the alternation of pseudostaminodes and stamens. Ficoidea means figlike.

Natural range:   Tropical America

Recognition:  Extremely diverse annuals with colorful, variably sized, variably shaped (ovate to linear) and variably colored (bright green, yellow, red, pink, multicolored) foliage.  Flowers inconspicuous in small chaffy heads not subtended by bracts. 

Landscape uses: Annual with colorful foliage.  Often used to fill space with color.

Internet sources: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/uprightcalicoplant.html

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Amaranthaceae/Alternanthera_ficoidea.html