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Alectra fluminensis

Species category

Weed

Common name

yerba de hierro

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Conical

Size

  • Length: 0.8–1.2 mm
  • Width: 0.3–0.4 mm
  • Thickness: 0.3–0.4 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

Reticulate with ridges not colored and bases smooth.

Other structures

Seeds visible and light brown.

Identification notes

Seeds are very small, 0.25 mm long and 0.2 mm wide.

Noxious weed seed categories

Federal 

Learn more about Alectra spp. on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Orobanchaceae

Valid name

Alectra fluminensis (Vell.) Stearn

Synonyms

Alectra aspera (Cham. & Schltdl.) L.O. Williams
Glossostylis aspera Cham. & Schltdl.
Melasma melampyroides (Rich.) Pennell
Pedicularis melampyroides Rich.

Alectra fluminensis.  Conical achenes. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Alectra fluminensis. Conical achenes. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Alectra fluminensis.  Small seeds are visible inside the fruit coat. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Alectra fluminensis. Small seeds are visible inside the fruit coat. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.