Common Waterhemp
Amaranthus tuberculatus · Warm-season, Annual, C4 broadleaf weed
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass or Agricultural Weed
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
Grass Family
Amaranthaceae (Note: The plant in the image is actually a broadleaf weed from the Amaranth family, not a true grass, but assessed as requested)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
Tall, upright summer annual broadleaf plant rather than a true grass. Features lance-shaped leaves, smooth stems, and dense, spike-like flower clusters. Can grow several feet tall rapidly.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are alternate, lanceolate to elliptic, smooth-margined, dull to dark green, with distinct veins. Not a true grass blade, lacks typical grass vernation, ligules, and auricles.
Root System
Strong, fast-growing taproot system allowing efficient water and nutrient uptake, excellent survival in disturbed soils
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widespread across the central and eastern United States and Canada
Growth Habit
Erect, branching, fast-growing annual weed with a taproot system
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, highly adaptable to various soil moisture levels, excellent drought tolerance once established
Mowing & Maintenance
Managed by herbicides, tillage, or hand-pulling; high maintenance in agricultural settings due to rapid growth and herbicide resistance
Special Characteristics
High seed production, prolific growth, notorious for developing resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action, highly competitive in crops
Ecological Information
Aggressive agricultural weed and colonizer of disturbed soils, provides limited wildlife food value but can outcompete native vegetation and crops