Identification of Foliage Plants

[Hamad Ahmed Kisana]

i think it will help.

[M Farooq]

Dear all, I guess the genus is alright and all inclinations are towards Farhan's Alternanthera brasiliana but what are the key differences between Munir sahab's Iresine and Alternanthera? How can we rule out Iresine?

Let us focus on the pictures posted by Hamad shb not the original picture no. 3 as the leaf form is not clear.

That's good puzzle :-)

[Hamad Ahmed Kisana]

farooq bhai i think it is Alternanthera brasiliana because leaves and stem structure is same as in picture.and the leaves of Iresine are with pink veins which are not present in these.

[Munir]

Fine, Farhan must be right,otherwise he couldn't be so emphatic.
Incidently, I also had Iresine hedge which was removed two years back,but I must have mixed it up.

[M Farooq]

Fine, Farhan must be right,otherwise he couldn't be so emphatic.
Incidently, I also had Iresine hedge which was removed two years back,but I must have mixed it up.

Munir sahab you can end everyone's confusion between Iresine and Alternanthera if you recall the flowers. The family is indeed the same. Leaves are very similar except pink veins but families are different. I am in favour of Alternenthera but still wish to resolve so that nobody remains confused including yourself. So did your "Iresine" (or Alternanthera") hedge had flowers like the following?

Please ignore the leaves, let us focus on the flower "form".

[Munir]

I never noticed any of these. Let us close the debate here, as it is a minor point of identification & I have already conceded it to Farhan, who has a much sharper eye & mind, Masha Allah.Thank you all for taking pains to remove the confusion.