Amaranthus interruptus R.Br.

Brown, R. (1810) Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 414. Type: v.v.

Native Amaranth

Decumbent to erect herb 20-60 cm tall.

Petioles grooved on the upper surface, 5-10 mm long. Leaf blades 10-27 x 7-16 mm, smaller towards the apex of the plant; underside of the leaf blade sparsely clothed in dark brown hairs.

Inflorescence 6-8 mm long. Flowers small, about 1 x 0.5 mm, each subtended by a bract about 1.25 cm long. Perianth consists of 3 tepals fused only near the base. Anthers about 1.5 mm long, filaments 1-1.25 mm long. Pollen cream. Ovules solitary in each ovary.

Fruits about 2 mm long with the styles persistent at the apex and perianth lobes persistent at the base. Fruits split along the equator. Seeds about 1 mm diam. Embryo white, C-shaped.

Features not available.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ and CEQ, in all states except Victoria. Grows in vine thicket and monsoon forest on red stony basaltic soil, also in sandy and gravelly soil ion rocky slopes and in riverbeds.