Amaranthus powellii S. Wats.

by Lisa Taylor, Native Plants Class
Common names: Powell's amaranth (6)
Family: Amaranthaceae
Synonymy: Amaranthus bouchonii Thellung, Amaranthus bracteosus Uline & Bray, Amaranthus retroflexus L. var. powellii (S. Wats.) Boivin, Amaranthus viscidulus Greene (6).
Etymology: Amaranthus is from the Greek "amarantos", which means "unfading" (1).

Identification
Growth form: Forb/herb, to 2'-3' tall (6, 7).
Roots: The root system of Powell's amaranth consists of a taproot (often red in color, extending down from the stem) and lateral roots branching from the taproot (7).
Stem: Lower stem red-to-purple or red-to-purple striped (7).
Leaves: Leaves are alternate or opposite, have long petioles and prominent veins. They are somewhat broad and lance-shaped and often become reddish, pink or purple (7).
Inflorescence/flowers: Inflorescences are long, spike-like, terminal clusters or axillary clusters of small, tightly arranged flowers. The clusters are full of stiff, long, narrow, spine-like bracts. Amaranth flowers are small and inconspicuous, lack true petals, but have 3-5 green sepals and 3-5 stamens (7, 3).
Fruit: The fruit is a small, black, shiny seed (7).
Similar species: Amaranthus retroflexus L. (Redroot pigweed, Pigweed, Green pigweed) is a very similar species, but has shorter, wider bracts than Powell's amaranth (7).

Ecology
Life history: Annual (6).
Native/introduced: Native, but considered an invasive weed in the northeast (6).
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: Germination can occur any time there is sufficient moisture during the growing season. Powell's Amaranth blooms July through October (7).
Distribution: 40 species of Amaranthus. Amaranthus powellii is distributed throughout most of the continental U.S., especially in the West. It is found most commonly in disturbed areas such as gardens, waste areas and cultivated lands (6, 7).

Uses
Food/Medicinal: Amaranth seeds are high in protein and can be made into flour. Prehistoric peoples ate Amaranth leaves and seeds (2). Though few uses are described for this species specifically, close relatives like Amaranthus retroflexus and Amaranthus hybridus are used as potherbs or a green vegetable (5, 2), as a medicine for mild heart disorders and as an astringent to relieve intestinal infections and diarrhea (4). This genus has also been used to treat dysentery, ulcers and hemorrhage of the bowels (2).

References
1. Coffey, T. 1993. The history and folklore of North American wildflowers. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York City, USA.

2. Coon, N. 1974. The dictionary of useful plants. Rodale Press, Emmaus, USA.

3. Epple, A.O. 1995. A field guide to the plants of Arizona. The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, USA.

4. Moore, M. 1990. Los remedies: traditional herbal remedies of the southwest. Red Crane Books, Santa Fe, USA.

5. Uphof, J.C., J.C. Verlag Von. 1968. Dictionary of economic plants. Stechert-Hafner Service Agency, Inc., New York City, USA.

6. USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

7. Whitson, T.D. [ed]. 1996. Weeds of the west, fifth edition. Pioneer of Jackson Hole, Jackson, USA.