Purple Amaranth (Note: This is an Amaranth plant, not a true grass, but shown in the image context)
Amaranthus cruentus · Warm-season, Annual, C4 broadleaf pseudograss/pseudo-cereal
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Ornamental / Grain Pseudocereal
Hardiness Zones
Typically grown as an annual across USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11.
Grass Family
Amaranthaceae (Not in Poaceae, the true grass family)
Variety / Cultivar
Purple Red or similar ornamental grain amaranth cultivar
About This Grass
Large, upright bushy plant reaching 3 to 6 feet tall with prominent, striking magenta-red or purple plumes and broad green-to-purplish leaves.
Blade Characteristics
Broad leaves with prominent veins, ovate to lanceolate shape, alternate arrangement, distinct from narrow-bladed true grasses.
Root System
Deep taproot system with fibrous lateral roots, provides good anchorage but not a turf sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and South America (Mesoamerica)
Growth Habit
Upright, coarse, bunch-type pseudo-cereal
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, moderate water needs once established, good drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not suitable for mowing; grown as an ornamental or crop. Requires occasional weeding and staking if grown very tall.
Special Characteristics
Grown for stunning ornamental seed heads, edible leaves, and protein-rich grains. High heat tolerance.
Ecological Information
Attracts pollinators and seed-eating birds. Sometimes considered a weed relative depending on species, but cultivated worldwide as a grain and ornamental.