Amaranthus caudatus L.

Annual herb; stem erect, to c. 1 m high, simple, rather angular, red-tinged, somewhat hairy. Petioles to c. 6 cm long, red-tinged. Lamina 3.5–11 × 1.5–5 cm (to 20 × 10 cm in cultivation), lanceolate-ovate or rhombic-ovate, glabrous above, ± puberulent on main veins beneath; base usually narrow-cuneate; apex obtuse and often mucronate. Infl. a dense spike-like panicle, usually interrupted near base, to c. 18 cm high, crimson, often with shorter lateral branches near base, the whole panicle pendulous from base. Rhachis hairy. Longer bracteoles 3–3.5 mm long, ovate with subulate tip; shorter bracteoles similar. Tepals 5, (1.2)–1.5–2.2 mm long, strongly imbricate, ± obovate, keeled; apex usually mucronate. Stigmas 3, crimson, > perianth. Frs slightly > perianth, circumscissile near the centre, ± urceolate. Seed 1–1.5 mm diam., orbicular, dark brown or black, shining.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–May.