Amaranthus cruentus L.
Annual, often much-branched, erect herb, to c. 1 m high, glabrous or nearly so (apart from infl. rhachis). Petioles of lower lvs to c. 10 cm long. Lamina of middle and upper cauline lvs 3-8 × 1-6 cm, lanceolate, ovate or rhombic, often red-tinged, glabrous at maturity; base cuneate; apex obtuse to acute. Infl. a dense spike-like panicle, interrupted towards the base, ± crimson, usually with a few branches, but simpler in plants on impoverished soils; main spike to c. 25 cm high, drooping towards apex; lateral spikes c. 10 cm or more, also drooping. Rhachis hairy. Longer bracteoles 3-4 mm long, ovate; apex subulate; keel greenish to red; shorter bracteoles similar. Tepals (4)-5, subequal, 1.5-2.3 mm long, scarcely imbricate, slightly larger in ♂ fls, oblong or obovate-oblong; keel darker than rest of tepal; apex obtuse, acute or mucronate. Stigmas 3, > perianth. Fr. ± broadly ellipsoid, = or < perianth, circumscissile, ± rounded at apex. Seed 1-1.3 mm diam., orbicular, shining dark brown.
N.: Wairarapa (near Masterton); S.: Canterbury (Rangiora, Lincoln, Waimate areas).
Origin unknown 1983
Crops, gardens, waste places in settled areas.
FL Dec-May.
This widespread, tropical and subtropical, cultivated amaranth is of uncertain taxonomic status. It is considered by some authorities to be related to A. hybridus but is placed by others nearest to A. caudatus. It is often known as A. hybridus var. cruentus (L.) Mansf., or subsp. cruentus (L.) Thell. Brenan, J. P. M., Watsonia 4 : 261-280 (1961), discussed the infraspecific taxa of A. hybridus, and included A. cruentus as A. hybridus subsp. incurvatus (Gren. et Godron) Brenan. One specimen (CHR 309356, Lincoln, Canterbury, Moar, 7.2.1977) is more hairy than is typical for N.Z. material, and also has mostly 4 tepals. Nevertheless, the plant should probably be referred to A. cruentus.
