Amaranthus californicus (Moq.) S. Watson
Family: Amaranthaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
California amaranth
Primary Disseminule Type
seed
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a dehiscent (circumscissile) or tardily dehiscent utricle, subglobose, 1–1.2 mm long, smooth or wrinkled (the latter especially in dry plants), with 1–3 attached tepals (tepals narrowly lanceolate, unequal, the largest 1–1.2 mm long, apex acute to acuminate), containing 1 seed.
Seed round to obovate in outline, compressed with an obtuse marginal rim, cross-section lens-shaped to fusiform (with opposite sides ± parallel), with a protruding notch along the margin where hilum occurs, (0.6)0.7–1.1 mm diameter x 0.2–0.4 mm thick. Surface shiny, ± smooth (under magnification, looking cobblestone-like, as well as pitted or punctate in some spots), dark reddish-brown.
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