velvet flower Amaranthus caudatus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-a-RAN-thus caw-DAY-tus
- Description
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An annual plant known best for its long, drooping, red or gold tassels. Blooms from summer until frost. Genus name comes from the Greek word amarantos meaning unfading in reference to the long-lasting flowers of some species. Specific epithet means having a tail in reference to appearance of the flowers.
The soil should be kept moist. Set out plants after last frost. This plant is good in hanging baskets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amaranthus
- Species:
- caudatus
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Grain crop, leaf vegetable
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Ecuador to NW. Argentina
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought
- Edibility:
- Seeds, leaves
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- This plant has long, slender (12in) tassels/spikes of small, petal-less, red to gold drooping flowers. They bloom from summer until frost. This flower doesn't bloom until 3 months after sowing.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are solid, blood-red.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
