Weed Science
Weed Science

Palmer Amaranth

Palmer Amaranth

Palmer Amaranth


Palmer Amaranth

Life Cycle: Summer Annual

Description:  A member of the pigweed family, Palmer amaranth is a troublesome summer annual.  The egg-shaped leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. The petiole is as long as (or longer) than the leaf itself.  Some of the leaves have a V-shaped "watermark", which is white in color. Not all Palmer amaranths will have the watermark. Another variable identification characteristic is the presence of a single hair in the tip of the leaf notch. As the plants mature, the female plants will have a very long terminal seed head.

Additional photos

Identification Video with Dr. Travis Legleiter

Contact Information

105 Plant Science Building Lexington, KY 40506-0312