Amaranth Tumbleweed (Amaranthus albus)
- Family: Pigweed (Amaranthaceae)
- Flowering: July-October.
- Field Marks: The flowers of this species are borne in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. The stems are usually whitish and the seeds less than 1/20 inch broad.
- Habitat: Fallow fields, along streams, disturbed soil.
- Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
- Stems: Erect or arching upward, eventually often forming a spherical clump, smooth, usually whitish.
- Leaves: Alternate, simple, obovate to oblong, usually rounded at the tip except sometimes with a short point, tapering to the base, smooth, without teeth, up to 3 inches long.
- Flowers: Male and female flowers borne separately on the same plant, in small clusters in the axils of the leaves, green; each flower usually subtended by small, often sharp-pointed bracts.
- Sepals: Usually 5, free, persisting on the fruit.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 2-3.
- Pistils: Ovary superior.
- Fruits: Capsules opening at the top, with seeds less than 1/20 inch broad.
- Notes: After maturity, the spherical plants are blown about by the wind, often being seen caught in fences.
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