''Ammannia auriculata'', commonly known as eared redstem, is a species in the family

Lythraceae Lythraceae is a family of flowering plants, including 32 genera, with about 620 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. The larger genera include ''Cuphea'' (275 spp.), ''Lagerstroemia'' (56), ''Nesaea'' (50), ''Rotala'' (45), and ''Lythrum'' (35). ...

that is found in tropical and subtropicalt areas around much of the world. The slender and erect herb typically grows to a height of . It blooms in March producing orange-purple flowers. In Australia the species is found along the swampy margins of streams in a few scattered areas of the

Kimberley Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to: Places and historical events Australia * Kimberley (Western Australia) ** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley * Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania * Kimberley, Tasmania a small town * County of Kimberley, a ...

and

Pilbara The Pilbara () is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples; its ancient landscapes; the red earth; and its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore. It is also a glo ...

regions of Western Australia extending into the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...

and

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

where it grows in black loamy soils. In the United States it is found in Alabama,Willdenow, Hort. Berol. 1: 7, pl. 7. 1803. Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, South Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico and Mississippi. It is found through much of Central America, Southern Chine and parts of Asia. It is commonly found as a weed in

rice paddies A paddy field is a flooded field of arable land used for growing semiaquatic crops, most notably rice and taro. It originates from the Neolithic rice-farming cultures of the Yangtze River basin in southern China, associated with pre-Aust ...

and on damp disturbed areas of soil.

References

auriculata Plants described in 1803 Rosids of Western Australia {{Myrtales-stub