There's a wild coastal species, Amaranthus cannabinus, that I'd love a good quantity of seeds for. It grows in freshwater marshes, brackish wetlands, and salt marshes of the east coast and usually blooms in the summer and fall. I checked hundreds of sites, but the only pictures I could find of it are at http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/herb/AA/Amaranthus_cannabinus1.jpg and http://www.nccentral.com/fcgc/c1-wfWh-WaterHemp.htm
It's dioecious (separate male and female plants) and goes by the name of salt marsh waterhemp, tidal marsh water hemp, tidalmarsh amaranth , water hemp pigweed or any combination of the above. Does anybody know this plant? I have a few seeds coming from an accession at the USDA GRIN, but I'd like to see some samples from different areas.
Edited to correct a habitat.
This message was edited Sep 6, 2005 2:15 PM
Looking For a Wild Amaranth
Bump! (always wanted to do that)
Hi Agrinerd!
We have gobs of pigweed around here, matter of fact, at the wholesale cut flower grower I work for we cut it and sell it to the florists!( The boss calls it Wild Amaranthus) I even have some growing in my garden (lack of TLC). It looks just like you second link above. If you really want seed I can send you plenty as soon as what's in the garden seeds out! LMK :)
Hi,
I have a green amaranth that is wild here. I can grab you a bunch of seeds if you want.
Winnie
Are they growing in a marsh or bog? That's one of the main traits of the species. There are a couple of similar species that look like it, but they can't handle the wet feet.
Mine comes up in my garden every year.
Winnie