Amaranthus albus L.

Tumbleweed Amaranth; Prostrate Pigweed; Tumble Pigweed

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Tumbleweed Amaranth is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). It is native to South America. In Alabama it can be found at scattered locations throughout the state. Tumbleweed Amaranth grows in fields, in pastures, on roadsides, and in other disturbed habitats. It is an annual with a tap root. Stems are erect, much branched, green or reddish in color, glabrous, and 1-3 feet in height. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, obovate to spatulate in outline, entire, and glabrous. Flowers are produced in axillary glomerules. Pistillate flowers are intermixed with staminate flowers. Individual flowers have 3 tepals and 3 stigmas or 3 stamens. The flowers are greenish white or greenish yellow in color, and subtended by aristate bracts. The fruit is an utricle with lens-shaped black or reddish-brown seed. Large specimens of Tumbleweed Amaranth break off at ground level after they die, blowing in the wind and dispersing seed as it tumbles. The young leaves of Tumbleweed Amaranth are edible when cooked and can be used like spinach.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FACU (NWPL)

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