Amaranthus deflexus L.

Annual or short-lived perennial with green or brownish procumbent or decumbent branched stems often forming large mats. Petioles to c. 2.5 cm long, ± puberulent. Lamina 0.5–4–(6) × 0.3–2.25–(3) cm, sometimes larger on vegetative shoots, ovate, triangular-ovate, to rhombic, glabrous above except for midrib, sometimes puberulent on veins below, sometimes glabrate; base cuneate; apex obtuse to acute. Infl. a terminal spike, often interrupted; lateral branches below with short lateral spikes in upper lf-axils. Bracteoles 1–1.5–(2) mm long, ovate, keeled, green, glabrous. Tepals 2–3, scarcely > bracteoles, oblong, linear-oblong, or oblong-spathulate, keeled, mucronate. Fr. ellipsoid, compressed, smooth, indehiscent, with 3 longitudinal lines, 1.5–2× perianth when mature. Seed 0.8–1–(1.1) mm diam., broadly obovoid, dark brown, only occupying part of lower 1/2 of capsule.

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

Flowering: Nov.–May.