Amaranthus cruentus L.

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Amaranthaceae

• Scientific Name

  Amaranthus cruentus L.

• Description

  Species Description - Cultigen apparently derived from A. hybridus; infl large and showy, mostly bright red in life, lax, at least the terminal thyrse generally nodding or drooping; bract of the pistillate fls with slender midrib, not surpassing the fr; sep 5, straight, unequal, the shorter (inner) ones less than 2 mm, oblong, acutish, ca half as long as the fr; style-branches erect; seeds in ornamental forms dark brown; 2n=32, 34. Originally cult. for grain and dyestuff, now relictual as a grain-plant, but widely cult. as an ornamental and pot- herb, and occasionally escaping or persistent, but scarcely established in our range. (A. hybridus ssp. c.)

• Common Names

  red amaranth