AMARANTHUS PALMERI

Family and Genus:- See- AMARANTHACEAE

Common Name:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Amaranthus gonzalii.

Meaning:- Amaranthus (Gr) Unfading, reference to the everlasting flowers.

Palmeri (L) For Dr Edward Palmer (1831-1911) who explored the

plants of Mexico.

General description:- Erect annual.

Stems:-

1) (30-)100-200 cm, almost simple to shortly branched in the upper part.

glabrous) or crispate-pubescent.

Leaves:-

1) 3-8 x 2-6 cm. broadly ellipti, long-petiolate, surface scabrous-puberulent

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, a leafless, usually bright green, stiffly erect, somewhat lax

panicle, lateral branches ascending-erect, the terminal much elongated.

2) Bracteoles, 3-6 mm, usually twice as long as the perianth, lanceolate-subulate,

with a strong mid-vein, narrowed to an acuminate apex.

3) Perianth segments, 5, 2-2.5 mm long, linear-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic,

acute,

mucronate, shorter than or equalling the slightly wrinkled transversely splitting

fruit.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, slightly wrinkled, transversely splitting.

Key features:-

1) All perianth segments tapered to an acute apex.

2) At least the inner perianth segments obovate to spatulate, rounded or retuse at

the apex (although often mucronate).

3) Plants diocious,

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Roadsides, olive groves and ruderal habitats by villages. 0-250 m.

Distribution:- Rare across the Mediterranean region. Native to North America.

Very rare on Crete, currently known from only one location.

Flowering time:- Sept-Oct.

Photos by:- An Other