Amaranthus retroflexus L. var. salicifolius I.M. Johnst.
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Amaranthus retroflexus L. Pigweed
Although other members of the Amaranthus genus are popular as food sources or landscaping plants, pigweed doesn’t get much respect. It is a common, gangly, rather unappealing weed. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, but has become more widespread. Identification: Pigweed can reach 9' (2.7 m), but I usually see much smaller plants. Stems are often reddish near the base. Leaves are between 3-7" (7.6-17 cm) long. The flowers are green, about ¾" (1.9 cm) wide and 2-8" (5-20 cm) long.
From Thomé, Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm, Flora von Deutschland Österreich und der Schweiz., 1885 Edibility: This is edible, and is eaten in some regions, but it may be high in oxalic acid or nitrates, so it should be boiled and the water discarded. Many other species of Amaranthus, such as pendent amaranth, serve as significant food sources. Online References:
Amaranthus retroflexus on spes.vt.edu Amaranthus retroflexus on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database Amaranthus retroflexus at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Amaranthus retroflexus on Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Amaranthus retroflexus on Ontario Wildflowers Amaranthus retroflexus on CalPhotos Amaranthus retroflexus on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants Amaranthus retroflexus on the Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries Amaranthus retroflexus at the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium Amaranthus retroflexus on eFloras Amaranthus retroflexus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
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6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts Range:
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