redroot pigweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common amaranth
• redroot
• redroot pigweed
• rough pigweed
• wild-beet amaranth
• American pigweed
• carelessweed
• pigweed redroot
• reflexed amaranth
• Common Tumble Weed
• Red Rooted Pigweed
• Red-root Amaranth
• green amaranth
• wild beet

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pyxidium retroflexum
• Amaranthus bulgaricus
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. major
• Amaranthus recurvatus
• Galliaria retroflexa
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. delilei
• Amaranthus texidoris
• Amaranthus retroflexus subsp. delilei
• Galliaria scabra
• Amaranthus patulus subsp. delilei
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. rubricaulis
• Amaranthus retroflexus f. rubricaulis
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. salicifolius
• Amaranthus rigidus
• Amaranthus tremolsii
• Amaranthus × wilczekii
• Amaranthus bullatus
• Amaranthus curvifolius
• Amaranthus delilei
• Amaranthus johnstonii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Amaranthus retroflexus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Ultimately, it is classified under the genus Amaranthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence within the northern regions of Europe. Its documented distribution includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing across the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is established within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends into the northern reaches of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Amaranthus retroflexus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1800 m AMSL. It is typically found inhabiting specific environments such as Campo Rupestre and Carrasco, where it adapts to the localized soil and moisture conditions of these niches. In terms of its symbiotic relationships with soil fungi, the species does not exhibit mycorrhizal associations, as it functions without the presence of mycorrhiza.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Carrasco

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Amaranthus retroflexus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable seasons through the production of resilient seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. Throughout its active growth period, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches maturity or responds to seasonal changes. This life history strategy allows it to rapidly exploit available resources and ensure the continuation of the species through prolific seed dispersal before the onset of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Amaranthus retroflexus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, though it is primarily a self-supporting structure rather than a liana or vine. Its shoot orientation is distinctly erect, growing in a terrestrial habitat rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. The plant's stature is variable, with a minimum height of 0.15 m, a mean height of approximately 0.676 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1.2 m. Furthermore, it functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.676 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Amaranthus retroflexus is characterized by a highly efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows the plant to optimize carbon fixation and thrive in high-temperature or light-intensive environments. Its vegetative structure is defined by ovate leaves featuring crenate margins, which are devoid of both thorns and spines. The leaf morphology displays a mean width of 2.8 cm (with both minimum and maximum recorded values at 2.8 cm) and a maximum length reaching up to 11 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 36.0275 cm². These leaves possess a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 161.8 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's investment in leaf tissue density and surface area for light interception. Furthermore, the plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient uptake to support its metabolic processes.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf margin :

crenate

Leaf size mean:

36.0275 cm²

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width mean:

2.8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

161.8 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Amaranthus retroflexus is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in July and extends through October. The plant produces inflorescences in the form of a panicle, featuring small flowers with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. Its pollination strategy utilizes both abiotic and biotic mechanisms, specifically involving wind and insects. The reproductive process relies on sexual reproduction, as both self-fertilization and asexual reproduction are absent. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, dehiscent fruits. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0004533335 g (ranging from 0.0003 g to 0.00057 g), a mean length of 1.2 mm, and a width ranging from 1.2 mm to 1.7 mm. The seed volume is consistent at 0.36 mm³. Dispersal is facilitated through an unspecialized syndrome, allowing the seeds to spread effectively within its environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

1.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00057 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0004533335 g

Seed mass min:

3e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.36 mm³

Seed width max:

1.7 mm

Seed width min:

1.2 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Amaranthus retroflexus has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2',3',4',3,4-pentahydroxychalcone, 2',3',4'-TRIHYDROXYCHALCONE, Baicalin, Gallic acid, MAGNESIUM.

2',3',4',3,4-pentahydroxychalcone

1. Scientific reports

2',3',4'-TRIHYDROXYCHALCONE

1. Scientific reports

Baicalin

1. Journal of food science

Gallic acid

1. Journal of food science

MAGNESIUM

1. Journal of food science

Oleuropein

1. Journal of food science

POTASSIUM

1. Journal of food science

RUTIN

1. Journal of food science

Vanillic acid

1. Journal of food science

ascorbic acid

1. Journal of food science

Activities

Amaranthus retroflexus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Nephrotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food science

Nephrotoxic

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

Conditions

Amaranthus retroflexus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, oxidative stress.

Inflammation

1. Journal of food science

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of food science

Preparations

Amaranthus retroflexus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract.

Methanol extract

1. Journal of food science