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(Last Modified On 1/25/2013)
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(Last Modified On 1/25/2013)
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Species
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AMARANTHUS DUBIUS Mart.
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PlaceOfPublication
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P1. Hort. Erlang. 197. 1814.
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Synonym
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Amaranthus tristis Willd. Hist. Amaranth. 21. 1790. not A. tristis L. Amaranthus incomptus Willd. Enum. Hort. Berol. suppl.: 64. 1813. hyponymn. Amarantthus tristis P xanthostachys Moq. in DC. Prodr. 132:260. 1849. Amaranthus tristis 'y flexuosus Moq. loc. cit. 260. 1849. Ainaranthus tristis a leptostachys Moq. loc. cit. 260. 1849. Amaranthus dubius B xanthostachys Thellung, in Asch. & Graebn. Syn. Mittel-Eur. Fl. 5: 266. 1914. Amaranthus dubius C flexuosus Thellung, loc. Cit. 266. 1914. Amaranthus dubius D leptostachys Thellung, loc. cit. 266. 1914.
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Description
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Rather delicate mostly glabrous annuals to 1 m. high with ascending branches. Leaves glabrous or glabrate, entire or minutely crenulate, deltoid- to rhombic-ovate, apically rounded to acute, often mucronate, basally rounded to acute, 2-8 cm. long, 1-6 cm. broad; petioles 1-6 cm. long. Inflorescences of thyrses racemosely disposed, the terminal and axillary thyrses mostly cylindric and less than 6 mm. broad. Flowers polygamo-monoecious or monoecious; bracts and bracteoles sub- equal, lanceolate to ovate or obovate, acute to acuminate, 1.5-2 mm. long, the midribs dark green, the margins scariose; stamens discrete, 1-3 mm. long; ovary ovoid; styles (2-) 3, fimbrillate. Fruit a slightly rugose compressed ovoid utricle, circumscissile about the middle, 1.5-2.5 mm. long; seeds cochleate-orbiculate, reddish brown to black, reticulate, 0.8-1.1 mm. broad.
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Specimen
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BOCAS DEL TORO: Isla Colon, vicinity of Chiriqui Lagoon, von Wedel 2854. CANAL ZONE: near Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, vicinity of Miraflores, G. White I19; in govern- ment forest along Las Cruces Trail, Hunter e Allen 7I2; Bohio Soldado, Cowvell 235. DARIEN: vicinity of Boca de Cupe, ca. 40 m., Allen 874. PANAMA: Agricultural Exp. Sta. at Matias Hernandez, Pittier 6859.
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Distribution
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Reputedly the common weed amaranth of the Caribbean, this species extends from Mexico through tropical South America and is adventive in Europe.
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Note
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In Panama, where the leaves and young shoots are employed as potherbs, the names bledo and calalu are applied. The Mayas call it xetz and chactez; Mexicans call the amaranths quelite, a name derived from an Aztec word and used for any pot- herb. The specific epithet is strongly suggestive of its specific status. It is weakly separated from A. hybridus L., from which it is frequently keyed by the length of the sepals in proportion to the length of the utricles. In individuals of both species, however, the utricles vary from shorter to longer than the sepals.
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Habit
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herbs
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Common
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bledo calalu
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Tag
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