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Martin, Edwin M.
Amaranthus spinosus L.
Spiny amaranth, Thorny pigweed
Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)
USDA Symbol: AMSP
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Tiny, yellow-green flowers on a stout, much-branched, sometimes reddish stem. Amaranthus species, though regarded as common weeds, produce tremendous numbers of seed-like fruit, which are an important food for many songbirds.
The Amaranthaceae are a family of annual or perennial herbs with small, crowded flowers. There are usually 5 sepals and no petals. Filaments of the stamens are often united into a short tube.
Bloom Information
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , OctDistribution
USA: AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVNative Distribution: Manitoba and Ontario; Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Waste places, disturbed ground, and cultivated soil.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N), VI(N), CAN(I)
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Amaranthus spinosus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Amaranthus spinosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amaranthus spinosus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-12-17Research By: TWC Staff
