Published via Ecency

Latin Name	Observation Date	Location
*Alternanthera paronychioides*	May 10, 2026	Purulia, Natore, Bangladesh

While walking along one side of the pond, I noticed that a wild plant, like a green carpet, was occupying the entire space on the wet ground. And small thorny white flowers were blooming in between its leaves. Although from a distance it looked like grass or a common weed, the thing piqued my curiosity. So I took a few pictures.

Name and birthplace:
After taking the picture, I did a little research on the iNaturalist app and found out that its English name is 'Smooth Joyweed' and its scientific name is Alternanthera paronychioides. Everyone in our village and city knows it as a common wild plant or a type of chanchi grass. Interestingly, the original habitat of this plant is not in our subcontinent. It is originally a tree of tropical America or South and Central America. But despite being an exotic tree, it has adapted so well to the climate of our country that it can now be easily found on the banks of ponds, roadsides or in fallen damp land.

How does it reproduce?
The survival and reproduction techniques of this tree are quite remarkable. It reproduces mainly in two ways - through seeds and stems. Whenever segments of its stems come into contact with wet soil, new roots start growing from there. Since the soil on the banks of ponds is always wet, they spread their roots very quickly and take over the entire area. When the water level of the pond rises during the rainy season, pieces of their stems float in the water and reach the other bank, where they find soil and start spreading again. In addition, the abundant seeds produced by their flowers are spread far and wide by wind or water and give rise to new plants.

Benefits:
Although it seems like a common weed, it has several practical benefits, which I have personally observed.

Soil erosion prevention: As a pond owner, I know how much trouble it is when the pond's banks break during the rainy season or the soil is washed away by rainwater. These plants act as natural dams there. They spread their roots over the soil in such a way that even large drops of rain cannot harm the soil.

Moisture retention: They do not allow direct sunlight to fall on the soil, so the soil moisture or humidity is maintained for a long time.

Animal feed and medicinal properties: It is used as animal feed in many places. In addition, its leaves and roots are used in some folk medicines.

Disadvantages: Like the other side of the coin, it also has some negative sides. Especially for farmers, it sometimes causes quite a headache.

Crop damage: When it enters the vegetable or crop field, it quickly absorbs the fertilizer and sap applied to the crop. As a result, it causes serious damage to the main crop.

Difficult to control: It is quite a hassle to clean them with a spade. Even if a small part of the stem remains in the ground, new plants will grow from it.

Insect shelter: Since it grows very densely, harmful insects or mosquitoes often take shelter under it, which can be harmful to the garden.

All in all, Smooth Joyweed has created a balance of its own in nature. Despite its harmful aspects, there is no way to deny its role in protecting the soil. Those small white flowers by the pond looked really beautiful in the sweet afternoon light.

Hope you like it too.

(All posts are written in Bengali and translated into English using Google Translate.)
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Camera Used	Samsung SM-G973F
F-Stop	F2.4
ISO speed	ISO
Focal length	26mm
Flash	No
Editing app	MIX
Photography	( Smooth Joyweed Alternanthera paronychioides)
Photographer	@mshbd
Location	Purulia, Natore, Bangladesh