Amaranthus blitoides (mat amaranth)

Amaranthus blitoides leaves

Leaf type: Ovate, oval, elliptical
Phyllotaxis: Opposite, alternate
Colour: Green, with or without white margin, green-marbled
Life cycle: Annual

Leaf (upper side)

Amaranthus blitoides green leaves
The leaves can be pure green in color, with or without a white margin.
Amaranthus blitoides marbled leaves
Amaranthus blitoides with green-marbled leaves.

Habitus & biology

Amaranthus blitoides is an annual plant, its vegetation period lasts from midsummer to late fall.

The shoots are usually between 30 and 70 centimeters long. They can grow flat on the ground, ascending or upright.

The elliptical, oval, egg-shaped leaves are unicolored green or green-light green-marbled. With or without a white leaf margin.

Mat amaranth habitus flat
Depending on the location, mat amaranth grows flat …
Mat amaranth habitus ... upright
… ascending (“semi-upright”) to upright.

Distribution & habitates

The original distribution area is in the heart of the USA (source). Amaranthus blitoides also grows as a neophyte in other North American and South American regions. It can also be found neophytically in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Amaranthus blitoides can be found along roadsides, on embankments and in fields. It grows best in sunny and warm locations.

Amaranthus blitoides wayside
Amaranthus blitoides at the roadside.
Mat amaranth in a field
Mat amaranth in a field.

Botany

Math amaranth is also known as prostrate amaranth, prostrate pigweed or procumbent pigweed and belongs to the Amaranthaceae family.

Amaranthus blitoides math amaranth