Iresine rhizomatosa Standl.

Bloodleaf; Juda's Bush

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Bloodleaf is a native herbaceous perennial in the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). It can be found at scattered locations throughout the state. Bloodleaf grows on the sandy banks of rivers and streams, in alluvial woods, and on shell mounds near the coast. It is a stoloniferous dioecious perennial with stems up to 3 feet in height. The stems are erect, green in color, glabrous or pubescent, and usually unbranched below the inflorescence. The stems are swollen at the nodes. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate to elliptic in outline, entire, and sparsely pubescent. The leaves are deep green above and light green beneath. Flowers are produced in terminal and axillary panicles. The bracteoles subtending the flowers are shorter than the teaps. The tepals are white, ovate in outline, and densely pubescent. The fruit is an indehiscent utricle containing a single brownish-red seed. Bloodleaf is available from some native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist to wet soil in partial to full shade.—A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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