Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus
(c) TonyT, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by TonyT · licence
Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus is a native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by . Key features: deeply notched/2-lobed leaf tips, low elevation urban habitat.
Prostrate amaranth is a native annual found in southern California coastal areas in disturbed urban spaces and irrigated horticultural crops at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small green flowers with delicate membranous bracts. Growing with prostrate to ascending stems 0.5 to 7 decimeters tall and many green branches, it spreads across the ground in dense, interconnected clusters. Its distinctive leaves are ovate to rhombic-ovate, 15 to 35 millimeters long with deeply notched or two-lobed tips, creating a distinctive irregular leaf shape. The fruit is a small, irregular-wrinkled green seed capsule approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, containing smooth, shiny brown-black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species. Key features: deeply notched/2-lobed leaf tips, low elevation urban habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed urban areas, irrigated horticultural crops
Elevation: < 250 m
Outside California: eastern United States, southern Ontario, southern Europe, native to tropics
Bloom period
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Celosia: Amaranthus has bristly flower spikes; Celosia has showy velvety flower plumes or crested combs.; vs Rumex: Amaranthus has dense bristly flower clusters; Rumex has flowers in whorls along stems with papery wings on fruits.; vs Salsola: Amaranthus has soft oval leaves and clustered flowers; Salsola has spine-tipped leaves and papery winged fruits.; vs Euphorbia: Amaranthus lacks milky sap and has separate male/female flowers; Euphorbia has milky sap and cup-like flower clusters.; vs Chenopodium: Amaranthus has bristly flower clusters; Chenopodium has mealy-coated leaves and flowers in loose balls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus native to California?
Yes. Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus bloom?
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus belong to?
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Amaranthus.
What habitat does Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus grow in?
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus grows in Disturbed urban areas, irrigated horticultural crops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.