Fringed Amaranth
Amaranthus fimbriatus
Photographed in Vekol Valley, Maricopa Co., Arizona. Aug 10, 2008.
ANNUAL: Warm season annual occasionally reaching
one meter in height. One or a few erect stems. Not present in winter
season or after extended drought.
LEAVES: Leaves are narrow elongate, alternate on the stems.
FLOWERS: Numerous small flowers in terminal spikes. Light green or pale. The tips of the spikes
often curve downwards. Separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate)
flowers. With magnification note that pistillate sepals are fringed.
RANGE: Frequent throughout the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico on
wash banks or in canyons often growing among shrubs and partial shade. Also
found from California to Texas.
FRUIT: Dry single-seeded achenes subtended by papery sepals and bracts.
UNARMED. Once the spikes of flowers mature and go to seed the
surrounding bracts may be slightly prickly.