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Saltlover Family:
Amaranth (Amaranthaceae) Grows with curving reddish branches up to 18" long which spread low to the ground then become erect. It has a 2 foot long taproot which enables it to draw salt from lower soils which is deposited at the surface when the plant dies. The leaves grow along the branches and are narrow, fleshy and bluish-green tipped with a stiff bristle at the tip. They turn red or yellow in late summer. The tiny greenish flowers are clustered next to the leaves. In late fall, the leaves are hidden by dense clusters of fruits, each fruit enclosed in five wing-like bracts. It is especially toxic to sheep. NOXIOUS Flora of North America reference. |