Spiny Amaranth

(Amaranthus spinosus L.)

Amaranthaceae (Pigweed Family)

▲ seedlings

▲ ▼ young, mature plant, showing red and silvery markings on leaves

▲ ▼ axillary inflorescences, with spines

▲ mature plant

Spiny Amaranth:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains; mentioned on p. 96, Weeds of the Northeast)

o       warm-season, aggressive annual weed with pyramidal branching growth habit

o       stems often deep pinkish red

o       spines at nodes on stem and in inflorescence

o       terminal inflorescence is thick and long, often with spines sticking out from it

o       leaves elongated ovals, sometimes with silvery “V” marking on leaves

o       found in pastures, cultivated fields, roadsides, disturbed soils, non-crop areas

o       more common in southern U.S. (including here)