Species
Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys
Etymology
Amaranthus: From the Greek a- 'without' or 'lacking' and maraino 'to fade', meaning unfading and referring to the durability of the flowers of some species
Common Name(s)
slim amaranth
Authority
Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys Moq.
Family
Amaranthaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites
Features
Annual to 1m tall. Lamina up to 15 x 7.5 cm. Inflorescence a much-branched panicle, either crimson or green (Webb et al 1988). Seeds shiny, black, lens-shaped, about 1mm diameter (Wax et al 1981).
Similar Taxa
Var. erythrostachys has a crimson inflorescence and is cultivated as an ornamental. Var. hybridus has a smaller green inflorescence and is often confused with the other weedy amaranths (Webb et al 1988).
Flower Colours
Green,Red / Pink
Year Naturalised
1983
Origin
Var. hybridus - possibly the New World. Var. erythrostachys - probably in cultivation.
This page last updated on 10 Jun 2010