Amaranthus L.
Erect or prostrate herbs. Fruit dry, membranous Amaranthus
Bracts with long prominent or rigid points, usually exceeding the styles. Fruit circumsciss.
Bracts and bracteoles spinescent or not, less than 10 mm long
Perianth segments 3
Stems white, rigid. Spikes nearly all axillary, short. Bracts 3–4 mm long. Leaves obovate to lanceolate, 2–3 cm long, 5–10 mm wide, mucronate, petiole short reducing in size towards the apex of the flowering stems. Fruit c. as long as the perianth. Almost glabrous annual 20–80 cm high. Widespread. Uncommon weed. Introd. from Trop. America. Tumble Weed Amaranthus albus
Spikes terminal. Bracts 5–6 mm long. Leaves 3–10 cm long, usually acute. Petiole long. * Amaranthus powelli