please name this amaranthus- pic

16 years ago

The leaf on the left is the unknown ( on the white background) I've included it's flower. The entire plant is this dark. On the right I'm contrasting it with the larger leaf of 'intense burgundy' Ignore the purple flower. You guys already nailed that one.

I'm also including a picture of how this plant looks in the garden. It is about 5 ft tall.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2602256460059033826VCXLNy

Any idea what it is? It was giving to me as 'purple sh_t!'

I'd like to trade the seed.

THX :)

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: the one on the left

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Comments (7)

j_nail
16 years ago
Amaranthus cruentas (possibly 'Velvet Curtain' cultivar?) I just did a google image search for "Amaranthus" and found the link below...

I usually try to look for university websites when searching online (I'm a student, need to site "reliable" resources) but I get a hit from this site EVERY time I search so...btw, the photos are on the very far right, I didn't see them at first.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1381/

Hope this helps! I'm interested to know for sure as well, because I want some Amaranth in my yard and that is THE one!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:364890}}
cheerpeople
Original Author
16 years ago
J-nail,

That might be it. Some of the images for it show no green. That would be right.

Some show some greenish leaves and that wouldn't be right. There is no green on this- not from it's first day to it's last. It is entirely uniform burgundy.

Karen
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knotz
16 years ago
If the whole plant is burgundy color, it is called Amaranth Red Hopi Dye...An Amaranthus cruentus...I love this plant and let it grow where ever it decides to take hold :)
knotz
16 years ago
Forgot to mention it releases a LOT of teeny round flat shiny burgundy seeds.
j_nail
16 years ago
I'll admit I didn't do an extensive search (needed to get to work)! lol! I did notice that there was some green on some of the photos I saw as well, but I figured it would be a starting point at least.

I also came across a lot of variation in flower structure, which is probably a bigger factor in a proper ID, since foliage color is more likely to vary in different conditions. Even when I put in A. cruentas 'Hopi Red Dye' or something else specific, more variation than I'm used to seeing when I do an image search.

I also checked the USDA Plant Data Base and did a search for just "Amaranthus" and A. cruentas was listed as Common Name "Red Amaranth" so I'm pretty sure that at least the Genus and Species are correct. Now the cultivar...

I'll let you know if I come up with anything else, as now I and 2 of my friends are on a tangent to figure it out so we can get some of this beautiful plant!!!

Thanks for your input as well knotz!
cheerpeople
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes,
They do self seed well.
I pulled them out of certain areas in the early fall to reduce the problem.
I also sharpen my hoe for max. effect!

j nail you are welcome to a sase. Email me privately for an address if in the US and interested.

It's difficult to say if it is hopi red dye or velvet curtains. I think I may have tried red dye in years past. Is that the one with white seeds? I didn't keep them as this pictured plant has black seeds and better color.

THx for your efforts. I thought this would be easy to name. Too bad there aren't more web images.
Karen
cheerpeople
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's the seedhead in the background of this shot.

I have to stake these due to the high wind here. If grown in massive clumps they don't need staking. Just something to consider if you wanted to plant them.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: seedhead