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Amaranthus blitum

Previously known as:

  • A. lividus
  • Amaranthus blitum L.
Phonetic Spelling
am-a-RAN-thus BLY-tum
Description

Livid amaranth, in the family Amaranthaceae, is a summer annual pigweed, distinguished by a prostrate to ascending growth habit (most pigweeds grow upright) and a notch or cleft at the tip of the leaf blade.  Livid amaranth appears to be increasing in abundance in the Southeast.  Most infestations begin with plants growing on the borders of plant beds which spread to containers. Manage weeds with preemergence and postemergence herbicides to prevent spread.

In some cultures, it is harvested to be used as a cooked leaf vegetable.  Other uses include medicinal, such as treating inflammations, boils and abscesses.

This plant is also known under the Latin name A. lividus.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Stem rot is the main disease affecting this plant.  Caterpillars and grasshoppers can cause serious damage.  Other insects that may cause damage are aphids, leafminers, stinkbugs, mole crickets, and mites, however, the damage from these insects is minor.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual#border planting#bedding plants#container plant#annual#weed#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual#border planting#bedding plants#container plant#annual#weed#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amaranthus
    Species:
    blitum
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean
    Edibility:
    The leaves and shoots can be eaten as a vegetable.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Prostrate
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Description:
    Flowers form in an axillary many-flowered cluster, that forms a false spike at the top of the plant. They have male and female flowers intermixed.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves have light or dark spots on the upper surface. Leaves are arranged spirally.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are sometimes erect, simple or branched, radiating from he base to form a mat.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy