Amaranthus palmeri
Palmer's amaranth, Palmer's Amaranth
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Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer's amaranth) is a native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by . Key features: dioecious, erect habit, flexible-drooping terminal spikes, disturbed habitats.
Palmer's amaranth is a California native perennial found in the Central Valley, Central Western California, Southern California Coast, Western Transverse Ranges, and Desert regions in disturbed areas and agricultural fields at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces green flowers in terminal, sometimes drooping inflorescences up to 35 centimeters long. Growing with erect stems 20 to 200 centimeters tall that are branched and nearly hairless, it develops a distinctive structure with flexible green stems. Its leaves are large and variable, ranging from 15 to 150 millimeters long, with ovate to rhombic-ovate blades that have wedge-shaped bases and flat margins. The plant produces small brown to occasionally red-brown fruits containing dark red-brown to black seeds that are smooth and shiny.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species. Key features: dioecious, erect habit, flexible-drooping terminal spikes, disturbed habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, agricultural fields
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Butte, Imperial, Kern, Stanislaus, Ventura, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Yolo, San Diego, Inyo, Marin, Monterey, Calaveras, Orange, Tulare, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Madera, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Colusa, Sacramento
Outside California: to central United States, central Mexico, introduced to Europe, Asia, Australia
Bloom period
Amaranthus palmeri 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 palmeri native to California?
Yes. Amaranthus palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amaranthus palmeri bloom?
Amaranthus palmeri blooms Aug-Nov.
Where in California does Amaranthus palmeri grow?
Amaranthus palmeri occurs in Butte, Imperial, Kern, Stanislaus, Ventura, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Amaranthus palmeri belong to?
Amaranthus palmeri is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Amaranthus.
What habitat does Amaranthus palmeri grow in?
Amaranthus palmeri grows in Disturbed areas, agricultural fields.
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.