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Powell's amaranth

Scientific Name: Amaranthus powellii ssp. powellii

Family: Amaranthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Powell's Amaranth (Amaranthus powellii)

Amaranthus powellii, commonly known as Powell's amaranth or green amaranth, is an annual plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is sometimes referred to as spiny amaranth although this may be referring to a different species.
  • The plant produces small seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Amaranthus powellii S. Watson
  • Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
  • Synonyms and Subspecies:
    • Amaranthus viscidulus (mentioned in the text)
    • Amaranthus retroflexus var. powellii (S. Watson) B.
    • Amaranthus powellii S. Watson ssp. bouchonii (Thell.) Costea & Carretero
    • Amaranthus hybridus ssp. powellii (mentioned in image descriptions)
    • Amaranthus bracteosus Uline & W. L. Bray

Common Names

  • Powell's Amaranth
  • Green Amaranth
  • Powell's Smooth Amaranth
  • Amaranthus Pigweed (sometimes used in Tasmania)
  • Prince of Wales Feather (sometimes used in Tasmania and WA)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to southwestern North America.
  • Now found throughout North America and South America.
  • The text also mentions it being recorded in Britain.
  • Can be found in disturbed habitats, such as parking lots (mentioned in the context of flowering and allergies).

Ecological Role

  • Considered a serious cropland weed, particularly in relation to other amaranths like redroot pigweed and smooth pigweed.
  • Palmer amaranth is identified as a species of pigweed recently introduced into Pennsylvania and difficult to distinguish.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Annual plant growing up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall.
  • Leaves are shiny, entire, and lack hairs.
  • Lower stem, particularly of seedlings, exhibits certain characteristics (details not provided in the text).
  • Several-stemmed at the base, much-branched, decumbent, spreading.

Additional Information

  • Flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female on the same plant).
  • The edible leaves and seeds are sometimes gathered.

Further Information

  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden New York Metropolitan Flora Project (NYMF)
  • Dave's Garden