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: Light green or pale. Numerous in terminal spikes. The tips
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.