1139

 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. DC.

Synonym	:	Alternanthera angustifolia R.Br.
Family	:	Amaranthaceae
Local name	:	Malayalam- . . Kozhuppa,
Flowering and fruiting period	:	Throughout the year
Distribution	:	Pantropical
Distribution in kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Along sides of water courses and marshy areas .
Uses	:	to treat fever, infections and genital inflammatio
Key Botanical Characters; Decumbent herbs, stem glabrous. Leaves simple, opposite, 3-4 x 1 cm, elliptic-oblong to oblanceolate, apex obtuse, base attenuate into a petiole, crenate, glabrous. Spike 7-12 x 5 mm, sessile, solitary or 2-3 together; bracts and bracteoles similar, 1 mm long, broadly ovate, acute, glabrous. Flowers yellowish red. Tepals equal, 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, glabrous, 3-nerved at base. Stamens 3. Achenes 2 x 2 mm, obovoid, emarginate at apex; seed orbicular, compressed, brown.