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Amaranthus tricolor cultivars

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Amaranthus tricolor cultivars

Family Name: Amaranthaceae
Common Name: Amaranth, Joseph's Coat

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Species Epithet Type
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Annual
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Vase
Maximum Height 0.5 m to 1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Pantropical
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Of Uncertain Origin

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form An annual herbaceous plant with erect growth habit, can grow up to 1 m tall.
Foliage Leaves glabrous, petiolate; blade ovate, rhomboid or ovate-elliptic shaped; measuring 3 - 9 cm in length and 3 - 6 cm in width; base obtuse, apex emarginate; margin entire to sinuate. Cultivars have varying patterns of yellow, red and green foliage.
Stems Stem slender, herbaceous, sparingly branched. 
Flowers This species is monoecious, having separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Small, greenish flowers are borne in a radial pattern along a spike inflorescence which is often branched. The flowers are wind-pollinated and can also self-pollinate.
Fruit Seeds subglobose-shaped, dark brown to black, about 1 mm in diameter.
Similar This species looks similar to other Amaranthus species, but its wrinkled fruits and pointed flower bracts (< 1 mm long) are distinctive.
Cultivation Avoid feeding plants with too much nitrogen, as it may cause the plant nitrate content to become too high. Excessive consumption of nitrate may cause adverse health effects.
Etymology The genus Amaranthus means unfading, which refers to the long-lasting flowers.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant, Caterpillar Moth Food Plant

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Pest(s) Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Raised / Sunken Veins
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Young Flush Texture(s) Smooth, Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire, Sinuate
Foliar Apex - Tip Emarginate, Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Green
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Inflorescence Type Spike

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Black, Brown
Mature Fruit Texture(s) Smooth
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type
Mature Seed Colour(s) Black, Brown
Mature Seed Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31415
Species ID 5812
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 14 September 2023.
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