greenstripe

Amaranthus acanthochiton J.D.Sauer

Greenstripe is an amaranth whose interest lies in fine structure rather than a large, showy corolla. Its upright, often much-branched stems carry narrow leaves and stiff terminal flower spikes. Around each female flower, a broad triangular bract folds into an enclosure, with its strong midrib continuing beyond the tip. That substantial wrapping helps distinguish this species from many other amaranths. Flora of North America: Amaranthus acanthochiton

Botanical name

Kew accepts Amaranthus acanthochiton J.D.Sauer; the supplied Sauer author abbreviation refers to the same species. Kew also places Acanthochiton wrightii in its synonymy. Kew Plants of the World Online: Amaranthus acanthochiton

Recognizing the plant

This annual varies from about ten to eighty centimetres tall. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male blossoms have five stamens; female blossoms have three stigmas. The light-brown fruits are roughly two to two and a half millimetres long, enclosing shiny reddish-brown to brown seeds about one millimetre across. Leaves are two to eight centimetres long and slender, with margins that can be irregularly wavy or finely eroded. Flora of North America: Amaranthus acanthochiton World Flora Online: FNA treatment of Amaranthus acanthochiton

Bloom window

southwestern United States and northern Mexico

In the southwestern United States and northern Mexico its flowering season runs from summer into autumn. Flora of North America: Amaranthus acanthochiton

Native range

Amaranthus acanthochiton is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Flora of North America records sandy ground, dunes, riverbanks and disturbed places at approximately 1,000 to 2,000 metres. Flora of North America: Amaranthus acanthochiton Kew Plants of the World Online: Amaranthus acanthochiton

Botanical sources

Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.