smooth pigweed
(Amaranthus hybridus)
This species is Native to certain parts of the United States but may be invasive to others
Origin
Listed by USDA Plants as native to the continental United States, but nonnative in Canada.
Appearance
Amaranthus hybridus is an erect summer annual that grows from 2-4′ (61-122 cm) tall. The main stems are green to red, rounded, ribbed and usually hairy.
Foliage
The alternate leaves are up to 4.5″ long and 2.75″ across (11.4 cm x 7cm), becoming slightly smaller higher up the stem. Leaf shape can vary from lance-shaped to elliptic and from pointed to blunt-tipped. They may be hairy underneath and sometimes only along the vein. Color ranges from green to red.
Flowers
The upper stem ends with a long panicle of spikes with small reddish flowers. This panicle is up to 1.5′ (46 cm) long on bigger plants. Panicles of spikes or simple spikes of flowers that are much shorter can arise from the leaf axils. Flowers are wind-pollinated.
Fruit
From the flowers, utricles (bladder like) are formed. They release the small flattened shiny seeds after drying.
Ecological Threat
A. hybridus can be found in habitats such as weedy meadows, croplands, fallow fields, farm lots, vegetable gardens, gravelly areas along railroads, and waste areas.
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/slr_pigweed.htm
http://www.missouriplants.com/Greenalt/Amaranthus_hybridus_page.html
Listed by USDA Plants as native to the continental United States, but nonnative in Canada.
Appearance
Amaranthus hybridus is an erect summer annual that grows from 2-4′ (61-122 cm) tall. The main stems are green to red, rounded, ribbed and usually hairy.
Foliage
The alternate leaves are up to 4.5″ long and 2.75″ across (11.4 cm x 7cm), becoming slightly smaller higher up the stem. Leaf shape can vary from lance-shaped to elliptic and from pointed to blunt-tipped. They may be hairy underneath and sometimes only along the vein. Color ranges from green to red.
Flowers
The upper stem ends with a long panicle of spikes with small reddish flowers. This panicle is up to 1.5′ (46 cm) long on bigger plants. Panicles of spikes or simple spikes of flowers that are much shorter can arise from the leaf axils. Flowers are wind-pollinated.
Fruit
From the flowers, utricles (bladder like) are formed. They release the small flattened shiny seeds after drying.
Ecological Threat
A. hybridus can be found in habitats such as weedy meadows, croplands, fallow fields, farm lots, vegetable gardens, gravelly areas along railroads, and waste areas.
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/slr_pigweed.htm
http://www.missouriplants.com/Greenalt/Amaranthus_hybridus_page.html
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Caryophyllanae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: Amaranthus |
| Amaranthus hybridus |
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.