Powell's amaranth
Family
AmaranthaceaeScientific Name
Amaranthus powelliiHabit
This erect summer annual flowers from June through October.
Leaves
The shiny green leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern. The diamond shaped leaves have whitish veins on the lower surface. The stems are stout and hairless.
Identifying Characteristics
This plant can be distinguished from other pigweeds by its more pointed leaves. The plant also has fewer branches and longer bracts.
Flower Seed Head
The small greenish flowers occur on a stiff terminal stalk. Female and male flowers occur on different parts of the plant, with the male flowers being on the terminal spike, and female flowers occurring in smaller spikes from the leaf axils.
Seed Fruit
The seeds develop in a utricle that can grow up to 2 mm in length. Each utricle contains one glossy black, ovate seed.
Where Found
This plant prefers disturbed ground, and can be found in croplands.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
green
Flower Symmetry
Varies:
radial symmetery,
bilateral symmetry
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
trifoliate
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb