Amaranthus viridis L.

Sprawling or suberect annual herb, to c. 40 cm high, sparingly hairy except for young stems. Petioles of lvs of non-flowering shoots and lower part of flowering shoots to c. 6 cm long, those of infl.-lvs often much shorter. Lamina 1.7–6.5 × 8–5.5 cm, ovate or triangular-ovate, becoming glabrous above, usually remaining puberulent on the prominent pale nerves below, undulate or ± crenulate; base cuneate; apex obtuse to emarginate. Infl. a dense, elongated, terminal, puberulent spike, and branches below, usually also with short axillary spikes in upper lf axils, usually greenish brown or brown. Bracteoles 0.8–1.3 mm long, broadly ovate, mucronate, with green keel. Tepals 3, 1–1.4 mm long, oblong-spathulate, > bracteoles; keel green, ± mucronate. Fr. subglobose, = or slightly > perianth, prominently rugose, indehiscent. Seed 0.9–1.1 mm diam., subglobose, black or dark brown, occupying nearly all fr. cavity.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Feb.