Amaranth for confirmation

[davidbr]

Is this Amaranthus sp, photographed a couple of days ago, Green Amaranth (A.hybridus) or just a foot-trodden Common Amaranth (A. retroflexus)?

I've been doing my best to turn it into A. hybridus, because I still need that for the database, but it's probably just wishful thinking - until recently I hadn't come across many amaranths!

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi David,

Information I have on Amaranthus retroflexus suggests the flower spike would seem to be "greyish" and that the plant is "shortly hairy". Your photo appears to show neither of these attributes.

Amaranthus hybridus is stated as being hairless, yellow green, leaves pointed oval, alternate, & untoothed, all of which seems to fit with your photo.

On the basis of the photo alone, I'm leaning towards the hybridus.

Regards
Mike.

[Chris Yeates]

hi

fruiting perianths are v. important in this tricky genus (at least 30 species have been recorded in GB)

if you have a scanner could try a scan of a small piece of the flower/fruiting head at around 1200dpi; scanners also have the advantage of very good colour rendition /white balance - even better than the best cameras

just a thought . . .

cheers

Chris