Amaranthus graecizans L.

Erect or spreading, much-branched, glabrous or almost glabrous, annual herb to c. 80 cm high. Stems angled, glabrous or puberulent, white, slightly pink towards base. Petiole slender, < to slightly > lamina. Lamina 1–2.5 × 0.3–1.5 cm, obovate-lanceolate, obovate, or suborbicular, glabrous, sometimes with greyish central band above when fresh; base cuneate or attenuate; apex obtuse or emarginate, mucronate; lvs on non-flowering plants broadest. Infl. an axillary cluster of greenish fls, present in nearly all lf axils. Bracteoles 3–4.5–(5) mm long, lanceolate-subulate, slightly folded, with acute but not pungent keel. Tepals 3, unequal, 1.5–3 mm long, oblong or lanceolate; keel green; apex acute, acuminate to subulate. Fr. subglobose, = to > tepals, slightly rugose, circumscissile at c. middle. Seed 1–1.5 mm diam., globose or subglobose, dark brown.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.