Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Amaranthus californicus is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common name California amaranth. It is a glabrous monoecious annual that is native to most of the western United States and Canada. The plant grows from 10 to 50 centimeters tall. It is found in moist flats or near bodies of water, and blooms from summer to fall.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

4 - 19 in Tall

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Red

Flowering season

Summer

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Plant communities

Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 16 likely

Confirmed Likely

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Ipsilon Dart

Agrotis ipsilon

The Nutmeg

Anarta trifolii

Common Gray

Anavitrinella pampinaria