REDROOT PIGWEED, Amoranthus retroflexus L. 1, lower stem and roots; 2, upper stem with leaves and flower clusters; 3, flower; 4, seed. Annual, reproducing by seeds. Taproot shallow, reddish. Stems erect, up to 6 feet (1.8 m) high, rough, branching freely if not crowded. Leaves dull green, usually at least 6 inches (15 cm) long when mature, ovate to lanceolate. Flowers green, small, in thick, stiff, paniclelike terminal spikes with many short, crowded lateral branches. Bracts much longer than sepals and utricles. Sepals longer than utricle, curved, rounded, often with small notch at end. Seeds shiny black, lens-shaped, ovate, notched at the narrow end, about 1 mm in diameter. Found in cultivated fields, yards, fence rows, and other waste places. Other species, such as smooth pigweed and Powell amaranth, are similar to redroot pigweed in morphology and weedy habits, and may often be found in the same area. Redroot pigweed is also commonly known as rough pigweed.