Spiny Amaranth
Amaranthus spinosus
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © sergei_mosyakin (iNaturalist #71722426)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Amaranthus
- Species:
- Amaranthus spinosus
- USDA Symbol:
- AMSP
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil. Light may enhance germination. Seeds remain viable in soil for many years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI