How to Identify Palmer Amaranth
Palmer Amaranth is a tall, erect, branching plant that can reach 6–8 feet. Its long, slender leaves, arranged alternately along the stem, are typically diamond or lance-shaped. They have a broad base and taper to a point at the tip. The leaves are typically smooth and shiny, with a prominent white or pinkish vein on the underside.
A key sign of mature Palmer Amaranth is its long, terminal inflorescence (the cluster of flowers that are on a branch), which can extend up to 3 feet in length. The female plants exhibit a spiky appearance due to the presence of sharp, pointed bracts surrounding the seeds, while the male plants have softer, less spiky inflorescences. A distinctive feature is a small, sharp spine at the leaf axil, a trait not shared by other similar-looking weeds like its close relative, Waterhemp.
