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Amaranthus retroflexus L.

Pigweed

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassCaryophyllidaeCacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
OrderCaryophyllalesIncludes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
FamilyAmaranthaceaeAmaranth family
GenusAmaranthusContraction of Greek ἀμάραντος (amarantos), “unfading,” with ἄνθος (anthos), “flower”
Speciesretroflexus

About plant names...

Although other members of the Amaranthus genus are popular as food sources or landscaping plants, pigweed doesn't get much respect. It is a common, gangly, rather unappealing weed. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, but has become more widespread.

Identification: Pigweed can reach 9′ (2.7 m), but I usually see much smaller plants. Stems are often reddish near the base. Leaves are between 3-7″ (7.6-17 cm) long. The flowers are green, about ¾″ (1.9 cm) wide and 2-8″ (5-20 cm) long.

Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed)

From Thomé, Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm, Flora von Deutschland Österreich und der Schweiz., 1885

Edibility: This is edible, and is eaten in some regions, but it may be high in oxalic acid or nitrates, so it should be boiled and the water discarded. Many other species of Amaranthus, such as pendent amaranth, serve as significant food sources.

Online References:

Spes.vt.edu

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Ontario Wildflowers

CalPhotos

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries

The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

EFloras

Amaranthus retroflexus L. var. salicifolius I.M. Johnst.

 

Amaranthus retroflexus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed)

6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed)

6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

Range:

About this map...