Amaranthus albus L.
Family: Amaranthaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Amaranthus pubescens (Uline & Bray) Rydb.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
tumbleweed amaranth
Primary Disseminule Type
seed
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a dehiscent (circumscissile) utricle, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, 1.5–2 mm long, smooth proximally, coarsely rugose distally, with 3 attached tepals (tepals oblong to lanceolate, 1–1.5(2) mm long), containing 1 seed.
Seed round to elliptic in outline, somewhat compressed with an obtuse marginal rim, cross-section lens-shaped to fusiform, with a notch along the margin where hilum occurs and from which a shallow depression runs inward for a short distance, 0.6–1.1 mm diameter x 0.6–0.9 mm thick. Surface shiny, ± smooth (under magnification, looking cobblestone-like, as well as pitted or punctate in some spots), dark reddish-brown to black.
Hilar region round to elliptic, consisting of a linear slit between two semi-circular scars.
Embryo annular, surrounding copious perisperm.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI