Family: Amaranthaceae
Amaranthus cruentus
Citation:
L., Syst. Nat. edn 10, 2:1269 (1759).
Synonymy: A. patulus Bertol., Corem. Neap. 171 (1837).
, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus paniculatus Common name: Red shank.
Description:
Glabrous or sparsely pubescent erect annual under 1 m high; leaves elliptic to ovate, acute, 3-9 cm long (incl. petiole).
Flowers in cylindrical spikes in leaf axils and the terminal one 6-10 mm thick and with short branches at the base, greenish; bracts and bracteoles ovate, shortly mucronate, 2-5 mm long, to one and a half times as long as the perianth; perianth-segments 4 or 5, lanceolate, acute, scarious.
Fruit smooth, about as long as the perianth, circumsciss.
| Amaranthus cruentus
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Image source: fig. 177c in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Distribution:
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S.Aust.: FR, EA, MU, SL. W.Aust.; N.S.W.; ?Vic. Native to America and naturalised in many parts of the world.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: Feb. — May.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Taxonomic notes:
There appears to be some confusion in Australia between A. cruentus, A. hybridus, A. paniculatus and A. powellii and further examination of these and possibly other species is necessary.
Author:
Not yet available
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