Amaranthus palmeri
(Palmer’s Amaranth)
Amaranthus palmeri, staminate flowers, Hwy 118 north of Alpine, Brewster Co. 5521
Amaranthus palmeri, staminate flowers, Hwy 118 north of Alpine, Brewster Co. 5528
Amaranthus palmeri, pistillate flowers, Hwy 118 north of Alpine, Brewster Co. 5518
Amaranthus palmeri, pistillate flowers, Hwy 118 north of Alpine, Brewster Co. 5536
Amaranthus palmeri, pistillate plant, Hwy 118 north of Alpine, Brewster Co. 5545
| Scientific Name | Amaranthus palmeri | USDA PLANTS Symbol | AMPA |
| Common Name | Palmer's Amaranth, Carelessweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 20740 |
| Family | Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Various soils along streambanks, disturbed areas, farmlands, roadsides, railroads and waste areas; widespread, 330 to 3300 ft. Plant: Erect annual 2 to 5 feet tall, stems are green with purplish stripes, lower branches usually ascending; dioeceous (separate male and female plants). Leaves: Alternate leaves on long petioles (1.2 to 2.4 inches); lower leaves obovate or rhombic-obovate to elliptic with wedge-shaped base; uppeer leaves sometimes lanceolate; 0.6 to 2.75 inches long; margins are entire with a small point (mucronate) at the the tip. Inflorescence: Spikes of many small flower clusters; spikes are leafless, or nearly so, long, slender and drooping; also occasional small clusters of flowers in leaf axils; clusters comprising green and white, occasionally pink-tinged flowers, each cluster subtended by a bract; staminate flowers with 5 unequal spine-tipped tepals and 5 stamens; pistillate flowers with 5 unequal tepals and 2 or 3 spreading stigmas; bracts below staminate flowers equaling or longer than outer tepals and with long-pointed tip; bracts below pistillate flowers with midrib extending beyond the tip Bloom Period: August to November. References: SEINet, The Jepson Herbarium and Wildflower Search. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024