Amaranthus lividus L.
subsp. polygonoides (Moq.) Probst

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Near People's Building, Mzuzu

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Synonyms:	Amaranthus adscendens Loisel. subsp. polygonoides (Moq.) Priszter Amaranthus lividus L. var. polygonoides (Moq.) Thell. Euxolus viridis (L.) Moq. var. polygonoides Moq.
Common names:	Pigweed (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Annual herb, prostrate, decumbent or ascending. Stem simple or branching from the base, more or less angular, mostly glabrous. Leaves on long petioles, ovate, mostly glabrous, distinctly emarginate at the apex. Flowers in terminal and axillary spikes, green, male and female flowers intermixed. Fruit a very small, subglobular, compressed capsule, exceeding the perianth.
Type location:	Brazil
Notes:	Although only the more robust and erect subsp. lividus is listed for Malawi, specimens so far seen in northern Malawi are a much better match with subsp. polygonoides. Since the latter is the more common and widespread taxon elsewhere in tropical Africa and throughout the tropics it is not surprising to find this also in Malawi.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In disturbed areas.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in warm temperate and tropical regions of New and Old Worlds
National distribution:	N
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Monday 1 October 2018
Literature:	Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 16. Townsend, C.C. (1988). Amaranthaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 48 - 59. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Amaranthus lividus subsp. polygonoides:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Amaranthus lividus subsp. polygonoides
Flora of Zambia: Amaranthus lividus subsp. polygonoides
Flora of Zimbabwe: Amaranthus lividus subsp. polygonoides

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Amaranthus lividus
African Plant Database: Amaranthus lividus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Amaranthus lividus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Amaranthus lividus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Amaranthus lividus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Amaranthus lividus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Amaranthus lividus
JSTOR Plant Science: Amaranthus lividus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Amaranthus lividus
Plants of the World Online: Amaranthus lividus
Tropicos: Amaranthus lividus
Wikipedia: Amaranthus lividus