Native Plants

Plant Database

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Flaigg, Norman G.

Amaranthus retroflexus

Amaranthus retroflexus L.

Redroot Amaranth

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)

Synonym(s): Amaranthus retroflexus var. salicifolius

USDA Symbol: AMRE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), HI (I), CAN (I), SPM (I)

Although native to the lower 48, this warm season annual is considered a weed by most.

Redroot pigweed develops a deep, thick taproot often pink in color (hence the name).

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Inflorescence: Panicle
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Fruit: Utricle.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC	UPL	FACU		FACU	FACU	UPL	FACU	FACU	FACU

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.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0992 Collected Oct 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Web Reference

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-02
Research By:

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