Prince-of-Wales-feather

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Prince-of-Wales-feather
• prince's-feather
• prince's-feather amaranth
• Prince of Wales-feather
• Prince-of-Wales feather

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaranthus hybridus var. leucocarpus
• Amaranthus atrosanguineus
• Amaranthus anardana
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. racemosus
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. tortuosus
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. macrostachys
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. monstrosus
• Amaranthus hybridus f. hypochondriacus
• Amaranthus hybridus var. hypochondriacus
• Amaranthus hybridus subsp. hypochondriacus
• Amaranthus monstrosus
• Amaranthus macrostachyus
• Amaranthus leucocarpus
• Amaranthus hybridus var. erythrostachys
• Amaranthus bernhardii
• Amaranthus frumentaceus
• Amaranthus chlorostachys convar. erythrostachys

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Caryophyllales, it is a member of the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Amaranthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Amaranthus hypocondriacus, exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions in Northern Europe. Its distribution can be observed within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is found growing in the landscapes of Great Britain. The plant also extends its range into the territories of Norway and Sweden. Consequently, these five countries represent its primary documented locations within the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Amaranthus hypocondriacus is characterized by its versatile adaptability to various environments, as it is frequently found in cultivated settings but also tends to grow wild, where it can behave as a dangerous weed. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal niche, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 2000 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2900 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cultivated and often growing wild; a dangerous weed

Life history

The life history of Amaranthus hypocondriacus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on producing a large quantity of seeds that remain dormant in the soil during unfavorable conditions, allowing the species to persist across generations despite the plant itself not surviving the year. This life form dictates its rapid developmental pace, focusing energy on swift vegetative growth followed by prolific flowering and seeding before the onset of seasonal senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Amaranthus hypocondriacus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. As a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, liana, or vine, it establishes a robust structure that typically reaches an average height of 1.2 m, though its stature can vary significantly between a minimum of 0.6 m and a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Amaranthus hypocondriacus is characterized by a highly efficient carbon fixation mechanism, specifically utilizing the C4 photosynthetic pathway. This metabolic adaptation allows the plant to concentrate carbon dioxide around the enzyme RuBisCO, significantly reducing photorespiration and enabling high rates of photosynthesis even under high light intensities and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Amaranthus hypocondriacus is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through until October, though the exact timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. This species utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on the wind to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Regarding its reproductive success, self-fertilization is present, allowing the plant to ensure seed production. The resulting fruits are minute in size, with a mean length of 0.35 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Amaranthus hypochondriacus has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, CD, Cu2+, IRON.

Ash

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

CALCIUM

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

CD

1. ACS omega

Cu2+

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

IRON

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

Lectin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Mn2+

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oxalates

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

PHOSPHORUS

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

RUTIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Amaranthus hypochondriacus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Preparations

Amaranthus hypochondriacus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Lectin.

Lectin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)