AMARANTH FAMILY. AMARANTHACEAE.

Fig 54. [Western Water Hemp. Acnida tuberculata Moq.]

Western Water Hemp. Acnida tuberculata Moq. Seeds smooth, highly polished, brown to jet-black, double convex, nearly circular, with a slight notch at one edge, .6-.8 mm. in diameter, smaller, lighter colored, and thin margins less conspicuous than those found on the seeds of Amaranthus circaezans. There are three varieties with seeds much the same as these. Native of low ground in central and southern Michigan.

Fig 55. [Prostrate Amaranth. Amaranthus blitoides] S. Wats.

Prostrate Amaranth. Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats. Seeds smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double convex, nearly circular, with a slight notch at one edge, 1.4–1.5 mm. in diameter. Introduced from west of the Rocky Mountains. It thrives on sandy and gravelly banks. Margin of this seed is less pronounced than in either of the other three noticed above. Found almost everywhere in fields of Michigan. Introduced from tropical America. Very common in annual hoed crops.

Fig 56. [Tumble weed. Amaranthus graecizans] L.

Tumble weed. Amaranthus graecizans L. Seeds smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double convex, nearly circular with a slight notch at one edge, .7–1 mm. in diameter. Compare with Acnida. Introduced from tropical America. It needs sand or gravel.

Fig 57. [Slender Pigweed. Amaranthus hybridus] L. (A. chlorostachys).

Slender Pigweed. Amaranthus hybridus L. (A. chlorostachys). Seeds smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double convex, broadly ovate, with a slight notch at the narrow extremity, 1.1–1.4 mm. long. Distinguished from the preceding species by having a seed ovate instead of circular. Introduced from tropical America. Not abundant.

Fig 58. [Rough Pigweeds. Amaranthus retroflexus] L.

Rough Pigweeds. Amaranthus retroflexus L. Sometimes incorrectly called red-root. Seeds smooth, highly polished, jet-black, double convex, broadly ovate, with a slight notch at the narrow end, .9–1.2 mm. long. The seeds of this and the next preceding are ovate, while those of the first two are very nearly circular. When seen edgewise, the hem-like margin of this seed is less prominent then in either of the preceding three noticed above. Found almost everywhere in annual crops. Introduced from tropical America.