| Latin name: Amaranthus retroflexus
L. |
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| Family: Amaranthaceae |
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| Common name: Redroot pigweed |
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Life cycle: warm season annual, reproduces
solely by seed . This weed will germinate all year long, but first
frost will annihilate all redroot pigweed. So control measures are
not necessary to kill this weed late in the year. |
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Habit: Tall and erect habit,
usually 2 to 4 feet tall. Although can grow and appear prostrate
if mowed repeatedly. This weed can flower when only several inches
tall. |
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Foliage: Leaves alternate, simple,
with distinct venation pinnately from midrib. Leaves have noticeably
long petioles. |
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Flower: Flowers are green and
form terminal and axillary panicle like spikes. |
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Cotyledon or seedling: Cotyledons
are long and narrow, with first true leaves appearing redish-purple in color. |
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Roots: Redroot pigweed develops
a deep, thick taproot. Near the soil surface, the taproot is often
pink in color (hence the name). |
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Notes: In my opinion, this is the most widely distributed
weed in Oregon field nurseries. Though many growers say it easy
to control, it is one that I've observed as most frequently uncontrolled.
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