About Spermacoce latifolia Aubl.
The species listed here as Spermacoce latifolia Aubl. is described below under the synonym Spermacoce alata. Spermacoce alata is a perennial herb. It grows sometimes erect, and other times decumbent. Its stems are square in cross-section, with lengthwise wings running along the stem corners. Its leaves range from elliptical to oblong in shape, and reach up to 8 cm in length. Its flowers are white to very pale purple, and grow in axillary clumps. Spermacoce alata is considered native to southern Mexico, Central America, two Caribbean island groups (Trinidad and the Leeward Islands), and multiple regions of South America: French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It has been reported as naturalized in tropical Africa from Liberia to Uganda; multiple provinces and regions of China: Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, Zhejiang; India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, Java, Myanmar (Burma), Sumatra, Queensland, the Northern Territory of Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
