Amaranthus torreyi
Torrey's amaranth, Torrey's Amaranth
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Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Amaranthus torreyi (Torrey's amaranth) is a native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by . Key features: mid-elevation desert habitat, leafy spikes with axillary clusters, broader leaves than fimbriatus.
Torrey's amaranth is a California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert on sandy flats and arroyos at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters, often appearing after late-summer rain. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces green flowers clustered in leafy spikes. Growing with erect or ascending green stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall and many-branched, it develops distinctive oblanceolate to lanceolate leaves 15 to 50 millimeters long with narrowly wedge-shaped bases and acute tips. Its leaves have flat or slightly wavy margins, with petioles 10 to 30 millimeters long. The fruit is a small circumscissile capsule with a wrinkled lid, containing dark brown to black seeds that are smooth and shiny.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species. Key features: mid-elevation desert habitat, leafy spikes with axillary clusters, broader leaves than fimbriatus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats, arroyos, after late-summer rain
Elevation: 1200-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego
Outside California: western Arizona
Bloom period
Amaranthus torreyi blooms Aug-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 torreyi native to California?
Yes. Amaranthus torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Amaranthus torreyi bloom?
Amaranthus torreyi blooms Aug-Oct.
Where in California does Amaranthus torreyi grow?
Amaranthus torreyi occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of 1200-1700 m.
What plant family does Amaranthus torreyi belong to?
Amaranthus torreyi is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Amaranthus.
What habitat does Amaranthus torreyi grow in?
Amaranthus torreyi grows in Sandy flats, arroyos, after late-summer rain.
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.