Family: Amaranthaceae
Alternanthera sessilis ‘Sissoo’ (Sissoo Spinach) is a low-growing, perennial groundcover that roots at the nodes and forms a dense mat of rich green, crinkled leaves. This sterile cultivar of Alternanthera sessilis is popular in tropical and subtropical home gardens for its ability to produce a hardy, attractive, and edible groundcover under a range of conditions, including partial shade and poor soil. It is easily propagated from cuttings and is valued as a food crop for its tender, nutrient-rich shoots and leaves, which can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Unlike the wild Alternanthera sessilis, which is a common weed throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, Sissoo has a limited ability to spread outside cultivated areas. It does not produce viable seed, is well-controlled by physical removal or herbicides if necessary. This hardy, low-maintenance plant is a desirable addition to permaculture designs and ornamental landscapes.
Plant Uses:
- Edible
- Erosion control
- Groundcover
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives and could spread in regions with tropical climates
- Other Alternanthera species are invasive, including the wild type of Alternanthera sessilis
- Shade tolerant (could potentially spread into an intact understory)
- Tolerates many soil types (not limited by substrate)
- Forms dense ground cover that can exclude other vegetation
- Reproduces vegetatively by rooting at the nodes and can spread indefinitely
- Dispersed through intentional cultivation
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness where the cultivar has been grown
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Edible to animals and people
- Lack of seed production limits the risk of accidental or long-distance dispersal
- Herbicides may provide effective control if needed
