Iresine angustifolia (common name in English: white snowplant,[1] in Spanish: arlomo) is a plant in the genus Iresine of the family Amaranthaceae.[2]

Iresine angustifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Iresine
Species:
I. angustifolia
Binomial name
Iresine angustifolia

Description

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It is an herbaceous plant; it usually grows to 1.5 meters. in most cases it has many branches with leaves between 5 and 10 cm long, its shape varies form linear ovate to lance-shaped.[3]

Distribution

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Iresine angustifolia occurs in the southwestern part of the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, West Indies[3] and some islands of the Caribbean.[4] It can be found at middle to lower altitudes usually on banks near the coast but also on thickets and on dry districts.[3]

Uses

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It is not cultivated, however it is considered useful in traditional herbal medicine in treating the bites of the insect also known as arlomo.[citation needed]

Taxonomy

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In 1788, it was first identified by Bengt Anders Euphrasén on Saint Barthélemy. He published a detailed description of the plant in a book about the condition and flora of the Island. It was first published in Swedish in 1975 and then in German in 1978.[4]

Common name

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In Mexico its common name is arlomo.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Iresine angustifolia Euph. Show All white snowplant". Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Iresine aff. angustifolia Euphrasen". UNIBIO: Colecciones Biológicas (in Spanish). National Autonomous University of Mexico. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b c H. Liogier, Alain; F. Martorell, Luis (2000). Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic Synopsis. La Editorial, UPR. p. 164. ISBN 084770369X. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b Nyberg, Gudrun. "A short biography on the ichthyolog and botanist Euphrasén" (PDF). Swedish Linnaeus Society. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  5. ^ Flora de Manantlan (in Spanish). BRIT Press. 1995. p. 109. ISBN 1889878278.
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