Spiny Amaranth

Amaranthus spinosus L.

Amaranthaceae (Pigweed Family)

▲ seedlings

▲ ▼ young, mature plant, showing red and silvery markings on leaves

▲ ▼ axillary inflorescences, with spines

▲ ▼ mature plants

Amaranthus spinosus L.; Spiny Amaranth: (Bayer Code: AMASP; US Code AMSP)

Warm-season, aggressive annual weed with pyramidal branching growth habit
Stems often deep pinkish red
Spines at nodes on stem and in inflorescence
Terminal inflorescence is thick and long, often with spines sticking out from it
Leaves elongated ovals, sometimes with silvery "V" marking on leaves
Found in pastures, cultivated fields, roadsides, disturbed soils, non-crop areas
More common in southern U.S. (including here)

(Updated January 15, 2019)