Alternanthera ficoidea aka Sanguinaria

Alternanthera ficoidea is a low, evergreen perennial in the Amaranthaceae family. Gardeners also call it Joseph's coat, joyweed, or parrot leaf. Its native range runs from Mexico south to Argentina. Useful Tropical Plants also records it across the Caribbean. Wild plants grow in pastures, clearings, and waste ground. In cold climates, gardeners grow it as an annual. It also grows indoors as a houseplant.

Plants reach about 0.5–1 foot (0.15–0.3 metres) tall. Their garden spread reaches about 1–1.5 feet (0.3–0.46 metres). Useful Tropical Plants notes that mats can spread farther. Stems stand upright or trail along the ground. Growth is fast, and the plant forms a low mat. The green leaves have an oval to broad egg shape. They measure about 1 inch long and lack hairs. Species-level accounts also describe garden forms with many leaf colours. These include yellow, orange, red, brown, copper, and purple. Some leaves have red veins.

Small white flowers form where leaves meet the stems. They have no petals and add little visual interest. Bloom comes in fall and winter, rather than summer. Missouri Botanical Garden notes late fall through winter flowering. In St. Louis, flowers appear chiefly on plants kept indoors. Gardeners value the leaves more than the blooms. They use the plant in beds, borders, and pots. Massed plants make a low ground cover or edging. Gardeners have used it in clipped formal beds since Victorian times. Its dense mats can also help limit soil erosion.

Grow it in sun or partial shade with good drainage. It prefers rich soil that stays moist between waterings. Full sun brings out stronger leaf colour in garden forms. Yet hot summer sun can make the leaves fade. Established plants tolerate heat and some drought. The listed USDA hardiness range is zones 10–11. Indoor plants need a bright, sunny spot and moist soil. Pinching stem tips helps plants grow more bushy. Seeds and stem cuttings provide ways to raise new plants.

Serious pest and disease troubles are not reported. Slugs, spider mites, and caterpillars can still cause problems. Useful Tropical Plants records the leaves as food. People eat them raw or cook them as greens. That source lists no known hazards, but gives no pet-safety assessment. It also notes possible antiviral value, not a proven treatment.