Pursh Seepweed Family:
Amaranth (Amaranthaceae) Grows with waxy green and/or dark red striped branches up to 3 feet long which spread low to the ground then become erect. The leaves grow along the branches and are narrow and fleshy. The flower heads grow in a spike from the branches. The tiny reddish-green flowers grow in many tight clusters along the spike with leaf-like bracts growing between them and no petals. Enclosing the flower is a green calyx with 5 fleshy lobes, at least one with a horn-like extension. Flora of North America reference. |