Powell’s amaranth (Amaranthus powellii, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 347 (1875))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: S.Watson

Bibliography: Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 347 (1875)

Year: 1875

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Amaranthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. & SC. U.S.A. to Mexico

Description

Powell’s amaranth, scientifically known as Amaranthus powellii, is a resilient plant species found predominantly in the southwestern and south-central United States, extending its reach down into Mexico. This species belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, a group renowned for its adaptability to various environmental conditions.

First documented in 1875, S. Watson is credited as the author who meticulously described Powell’s amaranth in his publication in the “Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts.” This significant work laid the groundwork for subsequent research and understanding of the species.

Ecologically, Powell’s amaranth thrives in a range of habitats, favoring both disturbed areas and more cultivated lands. Its robust nature allows it to adapt to the semi-arid climates typical of its native regions. Visually, Amaranthus powellii is characterized by its tall, upright growth and its clusters of small greenish flowers which bloom during the warmer months.

Farmers and gardeners often notice Powell’s amaranth because of its propensity to grow vigorously in fields and gardens, sometimes being mistaken for a weedy intruder. However, it plays a crucial role in the local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for various wildlife species.

The study and understanding of Amaranthus powellii continue to be important in regions where it is prevalent, both for managing its impact on agriculture and appreciating its role in the natural environment.

Common Names

Eng: green amaranth, powell’s amaranth, powell’s pigweed, powell’s smooth amaranth
Deu: grünähriger amarant, grünähriger fuchsschwanz
Fra: amarante de powell
Cym: blodyn amor powell
En: Powell’s amaranth, Powell’s pigweed, Powell’s smooth amaranth, Green amaranth
Fr: Amarante de Powell
De: Grünähriger Amarant, Grünähriger Fuchsschwanz
Cy: Blodyn Amor Powell

Synonyms

• Amaranthus hybridus subsp. powellii ((S.Watson) Karlsson)
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. powellii ((S.Watson) B.Boivin)
• Amaranthus chlorostachys var. powellii ((S.Watson) Priszter)
• Amaranthus obovatus (S.Watson)
• Amaranthus hybridus f. pseudoretroflexus ((Thell.) Thell.)
• Amaranthus bracteosus (Uline & W.L.Bray)
• Amaranthus chlorostachys var. pseudoretroflexus (Thell.)
• Amaranthus hybridus subvar. pseudoretroflexus ((Thell.) Thell.)
• Amaranthus retroflexus var. pseudoretroflexus ((Thell.) B.Boivin)
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. powellii ((S.Watson) Pedersen)
• Amaranthus hybridus var. pseudoretroflexus ((Thell.) Carretero)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Joshua Jebin (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2019 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Joshua Jebin (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Joshua Jebin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Peter Brand (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Joshua Jebin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Peter Brand (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Burnand Sebastien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Burnand Sebastien (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384359)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319617-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Amaranthus powellii S.Watson)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth