Stiff tumbleweed (Amaranthus albus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 2: 1268 (1759))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 2: 1268 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Amaranthus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. U.S.A. to NE. Mexico

Description

Stiff tumbleweed, known scientifically as Amaranthus albus, is a prominent member of the Amaranthaceae family. This resilient plant has been meticulously documented, tracing back to its formal classification in the 10th edition of the Systema Naturae in 1759 by the esteemed taxonomist Carl Linnaeus, indicated by the abbreviation “L.”

Amaranthus albus is a species native to a broad region that extends from the southern United States down to northeastern Mexico. It thrives in its native habitats, effortlessly adapting to the warm climates found in these areas. The plant is recognized for its distinctive features that set it apart from other members of the Amaranthaceae family.

Characteristically, the stiff tumbleweed is an annual herbaceous plant that tends to grow in a bushy, erect fashion. It can reach a considerable height, often exceeding one meter, providing a noticeable presence in its environment. The plant is covered with small, linear to lanceolate leaves that are a bright to dark green hue, contributing to its lush appearance.

One significant feature of Amaranthus albus is its method of seed dispersal. As its name suggests, this tumbleweed becomes particularly mobile as it matures. The entire plant breaks off at the base and is carried away by the wind, spreading seeds over vast distances. This method enables the stiff tumbleweed to colonize large areas rapidly, demonstrating its excellent adaptability and resilience.

The flowers of Amaranthus albus are relatively inconspicuous, forming in dense clusters at the axils of the leaves and at the ends of branches. These small, greenish flowers are not particularly showy, but they play a critical role in the reproduction of the species, allowing it to produce seeds that will scatter to the wind when the plant detaches and tumbles.

The stiff tumbleweed is a noteworthy species within its native range due to its unique ecological strategies and its significant role in the ecosystems it inhabits. Its ability to propagate through the motion of the wind enables it to overcome geographical barriers and establish itself in varied environments, which is a testament to the plant’s evolutionary success.

While not particularly valued for ornamental purposes, the stiff tumbleweed’s robust presence and adaptability make it a species of interest for botanists and ecologists alike, offering insights into plant survival mechanisms and the intricate dynamics of seed dispersal.

Common Names

Eng: common tumbleweed, pigweed, pigweed amaranth, prostrate pigweed, stiff tumbleweed, tumble pigweed, tumbleweed, white amaranth, white pigweed, white amaranth, white pigweed, tumbleweed amaranth
Dan: hvid amarant
Deu: weisser amarant, weißer amarant, weißer fuchsschwanz
Fra: amarante blanche
Swe: vit amarant
Nld: witte amarant
Cym: blodyn amor gwyn, chwyn moch gwyn
En: Stiff tumbleweed, Tumble pigweed, Tumbleweed, White amaranth, Common tumbleweed, White pigweed, Prostrate pigweed, PIGWEED AMARANTH, Pigweed, White amaranth, white pigweed, Tumbleweed amaranth, Prostate Pigweed
Be: Аксамітнік белы
Bn: অ্যামারান্থাস অ্যালবাস
Bg: Бял щир
Ca: Amarant blanc, Blet
Zh: Bai xian, 白苋
Cs: Laskavec bílý
Da: Hvid amarant
Nl: Witte amarant
Et: Valge rebashein
Fi: Valkorevonhäntä
Fr: Amarante blanche, Fleur d’amour, Fleur de jalousie, Amarante albus
De: Weißer Fuchsschwanz, Weisser Amarant, Weißer Amarant
He: ירבוז לבן
It: Amaranto bianco
Nv: Chʼil naamaasii
Pl: Szarłat biały
Pt-br: Carurú-branco
Ru: Амарант белый
Es: Amaranto blanco, Bledo blanco
Sv: Vit amarant
Zh-tw: 白莧
Zh-hant: 白莧
Uk: Щириця біла
Cy: Blodyn amor gwyn, Chwyn Moch Gwyn

Synonyms

• Amaranthus albus var. puberulus (Thell.)
• Galliaria albida (Bubani)
• Glomeraria alba ((L.) Cav.)
• Amaranthus gracilentus (H.W.Kung)
• Amaranthus albus var. parviflorus (Moq.)
• Amaranthus campestris (Willd.)
• Amaranthus graecizans var. pubescens (Uline & W.L.Bray)
• Amaranthus graecizans (Cutanda)
• Amaranthus pubescens ((Uline & W.L.Bray) Rydb.)
• Amaranthus albus var. pubescens ((Uline & W.L.Bray) Fernald)
• Amaranthus albus var. monosepalus (Thell.)
• Amaranthus albus var. rubicundus (Thell.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Gulf States (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Tuva (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

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

Leaf

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by alam munir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2020 by GardenGal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Stéphane Cordeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by M Keller (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Stéphane Cordeau (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Gaynor Schild (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Stéphane Cordeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by M Keller (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Stéphane Cordeau (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by joselu_4 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Stefan.lefnaer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Stefan.lefnaer (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 3, 2020 by Rul Rus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2018 by Luis Fuentes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Juan Ortega (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − DOMINIQUE BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2009 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 1994 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 5, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Etienne ASPORD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Quentin Groom (public)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Mike (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by lo bo (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7905507)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:327388-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Amaranthus albus L.)

Specifications

Growth