Scientific details

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Amaranthus

 COMMON NAME(S): Pigweeds, tumbleweeds, waterhemp
SYNONYM(S):
FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE - Pigweed family
ORIGIN: Worldwide, about 60 spp.
HABITAT: Disturbed areas, lawns, roadsides
RANGE: Variously throughout region
TYPE: Annual herbs
HEIGHT: Variable
CHARACTERISTICS: Stems erect, spreading or prostrate
LEAVES: Alternate, simple, often hairy along veins on the underside, frequently glandular, leaf stems long
FLOWERS: Tiny, separate male and female flowers on same or different plants, red or green, borne on congested spikes
FLOWERING SEASON: Spring to fall
FRUITS: Tiny, dry, 1-seeded

ALLERGENIC COMPONENTS: Pollen
ALLERGENIC PRINCIPLES: Pollen allergens
ALLERGENIC PROPERTIES: Respiratory
COMMENTS: These weedy plants are significant contributors to summer and fall pollinosis. Introduced species occurring in the region include Green amaranth (A. hybridus L.), Redroot pigweed (A. retroflexus L.), Spiny amaranth (A. spinosus L.). Prostrate pigweed (A. blitoides) occurs natively throughout the region except Florida.

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

Information contained in the pages of Allergenica.com was compiled from a variety of references, however plants growing under different environmental conditions often vary considerably in some characteristics and behavior, and there is no guarantee that a given plant will always conform to the description provided nor will always affect the body's sensitivity to allergens in ways described here. Allergenica.com and Betrock Information Systems assume neither responsibility nor liability for the information presented in these pages.
For additional information and professional advice, please consult a specialist in allergy and immunology - Copyrigt © - 2000-2005