smooth pigweed
Family
AmaranthaceaeScientific Name
Amaranthus hybridus
Other Common Names:
smooth amaranth
red amaranth
slim amaranth
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Amaranthus patulus
Amaranthus chlorostachys
Amaranthus incurvatus
Habit
This erect summer annual flowers from June through October.
Leaves
The alternate leaves are oval to egg shaped. The leaves are green on the upper surface and light green to magenta on the lower surface. The stems are densely hairy with short hairs.
Identifying Characteristics
This plant can be distinguished from other pigweeds by it's smaller, less bristly, limp flower spikes.
Flower Seed Head
The small greenish flowers occur in terminal spikes. The male and female flowers occur in different places, the males on the terminal spikes, and the females in smaller spikes of flowers at the leaf axils.
Seed Fruit
The glossy black seeds each form inside a 2 mm long utricle that splits open at maturity.
Where Found
This plant can be found in pastures, along roadsides, and other disturbed soils.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
purple,
green
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
entire,
wavy
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Plant Type
Herb