Spiny Amaranth

Amaranthus spinosus

Not native to Kentucky

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

39CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Amaranthus

Show all 39

Gesta martialisMottled Duskywing
Hahncappsia mancalisCommon Hahncappsia
Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
Herpetogramma bipunctalisSouthern Beet Webworm, Two-Spotted Herpetogramma
Hyles lineataWhite-Lined Sphinx
Hymenia perspectalisSpotted Beet Webworm
Melanchra pictaPainted Arches, Zebra Caterpillar Moth
Mocis latipesSmall Mocis, Striped Grass Looper
Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
Pholisora catullusCommon Sootywing
Platynota flavedanaBlack-Shaded Platynota
Psara obscuralisObscure Psara Moth
Scythris trivinctellaBanded Scythris
Sparganothis sulfureanaSparganothis Fruitworm Moth, Sulfur Leafroller, False Yellow-Head
Spilosoma virginicaVirginian Tiger Moth, Yellow Woolybear Moth, Yellow Bear
Spodoptera albulaWhite-Spotted Armyworm, Gray-Streaked Armyworm
Spodoptera dolichosSweetpotato Armyworm, Dolichos Armyworm, Large Cotton Armyworm
Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera ornithogalliYellow-Striped Armyworm Moth, Cotton Cutworm
Spoladea recurvalisHawaiian Beet Webworm
Staphylus hayhurstiiHayhurst's Scallopwing, Scalloped Sooty Wing, Scalloped Sootywing
Udea rubigalisCelery Leaftier
Virbia aurantiacaOrange Virbia, Orange Holomelina
Coleophora lineapulvella
Helvibotys helvialis
Paralobesia sambuci
Paralobesia vernoniana

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

39BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Amaranthus

Show all 39

Growing and identification

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Flower color · “Yellow or green” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Height · “Up to about 6 feet” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Life cycle · “Annual” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Light · “Full sun (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team) · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team) · Carolinas and Georgia

Also known as

Spiny Amaranth; Spiny Pigweed