Amaranthus fimbriatus
Fringed amaranth
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld · licence
Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amaranthus fimbriatus (Fringed amaranth) is a native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by . Key features: linear leaves, desert habitat, fringed/dentate perianth margins.
Fringed amaranth is a California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert bioregion on sandy, gravelly slopes and washes, especially after summer rains, at elevations of 600 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces green to pink-purple flowers in flexible, nodding spike-like inflorescences 10 to 30 centimeters long. Growing with erect or ascending green or purple stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall that are generally branched, it develops distinctive linear to narrow-lanceolate leaves 20 to 60 millimeters long with narrow wedge-shaped bases. Its leaves have flat margins and are attached to petioles 8 to 40 millimeters long, with the plant producing circumscissile fruits 1.3 to 2 millimeters long that are green to tan and slightly wrinkled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species. Key features: linear leaves, desert habitat, fringed/dentate perianth margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, gravelly slopes, washes, especially after summer rains
Elevation: 600-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo
Outside California: to southern Canada, Montana, western Texas, Baja California
Bloom period
Amaranthus fimbriatus blooms Aug-Nov.
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 fimbriatus native to California?
Yes. Amaranthus fimbriatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amaranthus fimbriatus bloom?
Amaranthus fimbriatus blooms Aug-Nov.
Where in California does Amaranthus fimbriatus grow?
Amaranthus fimbriatus occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, at elevations of 600-1700 m.
What plant family does Amaranthus fimbriatus belong to?
Amaranthus fimbriatus is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Amaranthus.
What habitat does Amaranthus fimbriatus grow in?
Amaranthus fimbriatus grows in Sandy, gravelly slopes, washes, especially after summer rains.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.