Amaranthus cruentus L.

Annual, often much-branched, erect herb, to c. 1 m high, glabrous or nearly so (apart from infl. rhachis). Petioles of lower lvs to c. 10 cm long. Lamina of middle and upper cauline lvs 3–8 × 1–6 cm, lanceolate, ovate or rhombic, often red-tinged, glabrous at maturity; base cuneate; apex obtuse to acute. Infl. a dense spike-like panicle, interrupted towards the base, ± crimson, usually with a few branches, but simpler in plants on impoverished soils; main spike to c. 25 cm high, drooping towards apex; lateral spikes c. 10 cm or more, also drooping. Rhachis hairy. Longer bracteoles 3–4 mm long, ovate; apex subulate; keel greenish to red; shorter bracteoles similar. Tepals (4)–5, subequal, 1.5–2.3 mm long, scarcely imbricate, slightly larger in ♂ fls, oblong or obovate-oblong; keel darker than rest of tepal; apex obtuse, acute or mucronate. Stigmas 3, > perianth. Fr. ± broadly ellipsoid, = or < perianth, circumscissile, ± rounded at apex. Seed 1–1.3 mm diam., orbicular, shining dark brown.

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

Flowering: Dec.–May.