Plants annual, usually monoecious (in some species, staminate flowers rare). Stems usually erect, not fleshy. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, ± long, cylindric spikes or panicles; axillary inflorescences similar to terminal ones, but shorter. Pistillate flowers: tepals usually (3–)5. Utricles transversely dehiscent (except A. bouchonii Thellung and some forms of A. spinosus and A. obcordatus).

Distribution

North America, Central America, South America, one species perhaps native to Europe, introduced into other regions.

Discussion

Species ca. 20 (14 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus fimbriatus, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus obcordatus, Amaranthus powellii, Amaranthus retroflexus, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus tamaulipensis, Amaranthus torreyi, Amaranthus viscidulus, Amaranthus wrightii