Redroot (amaranthus) (Amaranthus powellii)

Most abundant in the North Island. Annual.

 

Identification

A tall upright plant with green leaves that often have a red tinge. The first true leaf of the seedlings has a notch at the tip. It has greenish-brown flowers that feel prickly and produce shiny black seeds.

 

Characteristics

A summer annual that dies with frosts in late autumn. It can be a problem in spring-sown pastures because it forms dense patches of upright plants.