Other Amaranths & Pigweeds
What are they?
This page covers a few extra species of Amaranthus. These are species that have not yet been recorded in East Anglia, but which are known to occur elsewhere in the UK and could occur in our region in the future. Since this is a difficult group, it is always good to be aware of all possibilities before attempting a firm identification. Amaranths are closely related to the goosefoots and the two groups have quite recently been amalgamated into the same family - the Amaranthaceae. These plants have tiny flowers that are packed into tight clusters, the flowers themselves having greenish, bract-like 'petals' that are known as tepals (a word used where the petals and sepals are not clearly differentiated from each other). Each flower also has a small bract known as a bracteole along side it and these bracteoles are often long-pointed and spiny, giving the flowerhead a very bristly look. Although Amaranths generally tend to be upright while pigweeds tend to be more prostrate, there is no clear distinction between the use of these two names for the Amaranthus species
Where are they found?
Amaranths and pigweeds are plants that favour rich soils and they are most often found as weeds of arable field margins (especially beet fields), allotments and the rougher corners of gardens, such as around the compost heap. The species on this page are not currently known to occur in East Anglia but have been recorded elsewhere in the UK and should be considered when odd amaranths are found.
Identification
There are few short cuts with this family and amaranths can be difficult plants to identify. Most species are rather similar in their leaves (though useful features in these are pointed out in the species descriptions below) and the presence or absence of leaf spots is rather variable. Paramount in the identification of these species is the detail of the flowers themselves and care should be taken to note the precise size and shape of the (usually five) tepals of each flower. It is also best to wait to confirm identification once ripe seed has started to be produced, since the way in which the capsule surrounding the seed splits is important, too. Ripe seed can usually be confirmed by rubbing a flower cluster between finger and thumb and seeing if black, shiny seed falls out. Note also whether the capsule tops come away cleanly with a horizontal break like a small lid or whether they remain solid and need a good rub to open them up, at which point they tear roughly and rather randomly.
You can go straight to the main amaranth and pigweed page by clicking here .
Powell's Amaranth Amaranthus powellii
Introduced from North America. A rare casual in the UK, probably originating from soya bean waste. Flowers July to October. An upright species, closely resembling Green, Common and Indehiscent Amaranths. Stems grow to 1.5 metres with stiff, upright flower spikes. Best told from other species by the thickened midrib to the flower bracteoles (appearing as a stiff, green stripe on the bracteoles) and the thickened bases of the styles.
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Palmer's Amaranth Amaranthus palmeri
Introduced from North America. A rare casual in the UK, probably originating from soya bean waste. Flowers July to October. An upright species, which is unusual for an Amaranth in bearing male and female flowers on separate plants. Stems grow to 1.5 metres with noticeably elongate flower spikes once fully mature. Best told from other likely species by the single-sex flowers, but also by the relatively narrow, long-petioled leaves and the unequal-sized tepals that taper to a very acute tip.
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