74 



THE rNDIANA W1D15D BOOK. 



Pig. 41. (After Vascy.) 



31. Amaeanthus spinosus L. Spiny 

 Amaranth. Red or Spiny Careless 

 Weed. 'Soldier-weed. (A. I. 1.) 



Stem more branched and spreading, 

 1^ feet high, often becoming red in age ; 

 leaves with a pair of stiff, sharp spines, 

 4-1 inch long, in the axils. Flowers in 

 both axillary clusters and terminal droop- 

 ing spikes. Seeds round, lens-shaped, 

 dark, very small, shining. (Fig. 41.) 



Common in waste places, borders 

 of fields, alleys and roadsides in the 

 southern two-thirds of the State. 

 ,Tune-Oct. Occurs especially in and 

 near towns and cities along the Ohio 

 and Wabash rivers Remedies the 

 same as for the common pigweeds. 



32. Amabanthus blitoides Wats. Pros- 

 trate Pigweed. Low Amaranth. 

 (A. I. 2.) 



Stem prostrate or spreading, pale 

 green, 6-24 inches long ; leaves spoon- 

 shaped or narrowed below into Slender stalks. Flowers of this and the 

 next species in small axillary clusters which are shorter than the leaf- 

 stalks ; bracts awl-shaped, but little longer than the sepals. Fruit a utricle 

 opening by a lid as in the other species. Seeds rounded, lens-shaped, 1/18 

 inch in diameter, dark brown, shining. 



Frequent along railways and in waste places in cities and 

 towns. June-Oct. Spreading like purslane and often forming 

 mats. Remedies the same. 



33. Amaranthus gkjscizans L. Tumble-weed. White Pigweed. (A. 1. 1.) 

 Stem erect, bushy branched, whitish', 6-24 inches tall ; leaves oblong, 

 spoon-shaped, slender stalked. Flowers as hi the prostrate pigweed, the 

 bracts much longer than the sepals. Seeds one-half as large and with a 

 distinct wing-like border. 



Frequent throughout the State along roadsides, railways and in 

 old fields. June-Oct. The leaves fall away in autumn and the 

 branches bend in, forming a globular mass which is broken off and 

 rolled along before the wind, thus widely scattering the seeds. One 

 such weed, 5 feet 7 inches in circumference, was seen in Vigo 

 County. Fi'om the Russian thistle, which has similar habits of 

 seed distribution, this true tumble-weed may be known by its much 

 wider leaves aud small, round and shining seeds. Remedies the 

 same as for the rough pigweed. 



