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Amaranthus albus

Species category

Weed

Common name

prostrate pigweed, tumble pigweed, tumbleweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

LenticularLenticular:
Lens-shaped, circular in outline with convex sides.

Size

  • Length: 0.8–1 m
  • Width: 0.8–1 mm
  • Thickness: 0.3–0.4 mm

Color

Dark brown to black

Texture

Smooth and shiny

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 on the disc margin.

Identification notes

Linear embryoEmbryo:
A rudimentary plant contained in a seed, usually consisting of a more or less differentiated axis and attached cotyledon(s).
 detectable within entire margin

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet, Amaranthus spp.

Nomenclature

Family

Amaranthaceae

Valid name

Amaranthus albus L.

Synonyms

Amaranthus albus L. var. pubescens (Uline & Bray) Fernald
Amaranthus graecizans L. var. pubescens Uline & Bray
Amaranthus pubescens (Uline & Bray) Rydb.

Amaranthus albus.  Hilum on the disc margin. A linear embryo is detectable within the entire margin.
Amaranthus albus. Hilum on the disc margin. A linear embryo is detectable within the entire margin.
Amaranthus albus . Close-up of the seed's surface. Hilum is to the right. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Amaranthus albus. Close-up of the seed's surface. Hilum is to the right. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.