Amaranthus grandiflorus facts for kids

Amaranthus grandiflorus is a type of plant that belongs to the Amaranthus family. You can find this plant growing naturally in Australia.

About the Plant

Amaranthus grandiflorus is an annual plant. This means it completes its whole life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, within one year. It can grow to be about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of this plant are shaped like an egg or a spear, and they can grow up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. They have a pointed tip.

The flowers of Amaranthus grandiflorus grow in groups called inflorescences. These flower clusters appear where the leaves meet the main stem, which is called the axil. Each flower has small petals that are about 5 to 7 millimeters long.

Where It Lives

This plant is found in several parts of Australia. You can see it in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It prefers to live in areas away from the coast, especially in dry places like those with red sand.

Plant Naming

The plant Amaranthus grandiflorus was first described in 1923. A scientist named John McConnell Black gave it its original name. He first thought it was a type of Amaranthus mitchellii, calling it a "variety" of that plant. Later, it was recognized as its own distinct species.