AMARANTHUS PALMERI

Family:- AMARANTHACEAE

Common Name:- None

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:-

a) (30-)100-200 cm,

b) almost simple to shortly branched in the upper part.

c) hairless (glabrous) or with sparse curled-downy hair (crispate-pubescent).

Leaves:-

a) 3-8 x 2-6 cm.

b) broadly elliptic.

c) long-stalked (petiolate).

d) surface rough with minute hairs (scabrous-puberulent).

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence:

a) a leafless, usually bright green, stiffly erect, somewhat lax panicle, the lateral

branches ascending-erect, the terminal much elongated.

2) Bracteoles:

a) 3-6 mm.

b) usually twice as long as the perianth.

c) lanceolate-awl-shaped (subulate), with a strong mid-vein and narrowed to a

pointed (acuminate) apex.

3) Perianth segments:

a) 5, 2-2.5 mm long.

b) linear-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, acute, ending abruptly in a sharp point

(mucronate), shorter than or equalling the slightly wrinkled transversely

splitting fruit.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) Slightly wrinkled.

b) 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, (male and female reproductive systems occuring on separate

plants).

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