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Smith, R.W.

Amaranthus tuberculatus

Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer

Roughfruit Amaranth, Water Hemp

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)

Synonym(s): Acnida altissima, Acnida altissima var. prostrata, Acnida altissima var. subnuda, Acnida concatenata, Acnida subnuda, Acnida tamariscina, Acnida tamariscina var. prostrata, Acnida tuberculata, Amaranthus altissimus, Amaranthus ambigens, Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus tamariscinus, Amaranthus tuberculatus var. prostratus, Amaranthus tuberculatus var. subnudus

USDA Symbol: AMTU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

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.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblong , Obovate , Ovate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute , Obtuse
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Breeding System: Dioecious
Inflorescence: Panicle , Spike , Terminal
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, occasionally taller.
Fruit: Utricle.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NY , OH , PA , SD , TN , VT , WI , WV
Canada: PE

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Checkered-skipper

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Common Checkered-Skipper
(Pyrgus communis)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW		FACW	FAC		OBL	OBL	OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Amaranthus tuberculatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Amaranthus tuberculatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amaranthus tuberculatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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