Smooth Pigweed

(Amaranthus hybridus L.)

Amaranthaceae (Pigweed Family)

▲ seedling

▲ young plant stem

▲ young, mature plant inflorescence emerging

▲ young plant

▲ ▼ mature plant, with inflorescence

Smooth Pigweed:  (mentioned on pp. 32-3, Weeds of the Great Plains, pp. 94-97, Weeds of the Northeast)

·        similar to redroot pigweed in appearance, but with generally smooth, almost hairless stems

·        leaves tend to be smoother and more shiny than redroot pigweed & may be hairless or with fewer hairs

·        inflorescences about same size as redroot pigweed, but flower clusters more slender and side branches of flower clusters longer than in redroot pigweed (over 2” long)

·        common in row crops