Careless Weed • Amaranthus palmeri
Weeds
Conditions: Allergic asthma; allergic rhinitis; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: Erect, stout-stemmed annual (smooth with no hairs); leaves are pale green, oval to lance-shaped with petioles; flowers are small light green, slender spikes; spine-tipped bracts; black, or brownish seeded fruit.
Environmental factors: Found in lower and upper deserts, river bottoms, roadsides, fields, and irrigated lands; summer annual that emerges after the spring frost date and dies with the fall frost; grows rapidly; competes vigorously against warm-season crops; reproduces by seed.
Cross-reactivity: Pigweed, goosefoot, saltwort
References
- “Amaranthus palmeri, Carelessweed.” Southwest Desert Flora. http://www.southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/All_Species/Amaranthaceae/ Amaranthus%20palmeri,%20Carelessweed.html
- “Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri).” Extension. http://articles.extension.org/pages/65209/palmer-amaranth-amaranthus-palmeri
- “Plants Profile for Amaranthus palmeri.” United States Department of Agriculture. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AMPA
- “Careless.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/careless
- “Weed.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weed
Did You Know?
A candy is produced in Mexico by drying the seeds of the careless weed, mixing with honey, and baking.
