Alternanthera caracasana
Washerwoman
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Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Alternanthera caracasana (Washerwoman) is a non-native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by key differences are habitat (terrestrial vs aquatic), leaf size/shape, and inflorescence form.
Washerwoman is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal areas in generally disturbed areas at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces white to straw-colored flowers in compact ovoid clusters 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate, mat-forming stems 10 to 50 centimeters long that are initially woolly and become nearly hairless with age, it spreads across the ground in dense patches. Its leaves are rhombic-ovate to obovate, 5 to 25 millimeters long with rounded tips, becoming less hairy as the plant matures. The tiny brown fruits are nearly spherical and about 1.5 millimeters across, with a somewhat truncate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are habitat (terrestrial vs aquatic), leaf size/shape, and inflorescence form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally disturbed areas
Elevation: < 150 m
Outside California: to southeastern United States, central Mexico, also Africa, native to Central America, South America
Bloom period
Alternanthera caracasana blooms Aug-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Ludwigia: Squeeze the stem - Alternanthera has distinctly swollen, puffy hollow stems while Ludwigia stems are solid and slender.; vs Loropetalum: Loropetalum has showy 4-petaled flowers with strap-like petals; Alternanthera has tiny clustered flowers without obvious petals.; vs Epilobium: Epilobium flowers have 4 notched petals and inferior ovaries; Alternanthera has tiny clusters without visible petals.; vs Tradescantia: Tradescantia has showy 3-petaled purple/blue flowers; Alternanthera has inconspicuous white/green flower clusters.; vs Iresine: Both similar but Iresine leaves are typically reddish or purple-tinged; Alternanthera leaves are plain green.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alternanthera caracasana native to California?
No. Alternanthera caracasana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Alternanthera caracasana bloom?
Alternanthera caracasana blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Alternanthera caracasana belong to?
Alternanthera caracasana is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Alternanthera.
What habitat does Alternanthera caracasana grow in?
Alternanthera caracasana grows in Generally disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.