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Spiny Amaranth

Amaranthus spinosus L.

Amaranthaceae (Pigweed Family)

▲ seedlings

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

▲ ▼ axillary inflorescences, with spines

 

 

▲ ▼ mature plants 

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ ▼ mature plants

 

Amaranthus spinosus L.; Spiny Amaranth: (Bayer Code:  AMASP; US Code AMSP)

·         Warm-season, aggressive annual weed with pyramidal branching growth habit

·         Stems often deep pinkish red

·         Spines at nodes on stem and in inflorescence

·         Terminal inflorescence is thick and long, often with spines sticking out from it

·         Leaves elongated ovals, sometimes with silvery "V" marking on leaves

·         Found in pastures, cultivated fields, roadsides, disturbed soils, non-crop areas

·         More common in southern U.S. (including here)

 

 

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Updated 15 January 2019