Home | > | List of families | > | Amaranthaceae | > | Amaranthus | > | spinosus |
Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Frequent |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Annual herb, mostly erect, up to 1.5 m. Leaves glabrous or with sparse hairs on the main veins below, long petiolate, up to 9 cm. The leaf axils bear pairs of fine and slender spines. Flowers green in axillary clusters and branched terminal spikes. Male flowers in the apical part of the spikes. |
Notes: | This species is generally quite easily distinguished by the presence of the sharp axillary spines. |
Derivation of specific name: | spinosus: spiny |
Habitat: | A weed in disturbed or overgrazed areas, usually near water. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1370 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world; also sporadic in warm temperate areas |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Monday 12 June 2006 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 5. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 16. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 21. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 21. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 195. Townsend, C.C. (1988). Amaranthaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 48 - 52. (Includes a picture). Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 28. (Includes a picture). |
Home | > | List of families | > | Amaranthaceae | > | Amaranthus | > | spinosus |