Palmer Amaranth in Peach Plantings
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Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is an extremely competitive invasive weed. Simple oval to diamond-shaped leaves are arranged alternately around stems; leaf blades may reach 4 inches in length. Palmar amaranth can be distinguished from other Amaranthus species growing in Kentucky by the presence of a small spine at leaf tips; additionally, leaf petioles on older leaves are longer than leaf blades. Some, but not all, Palmer amaranth leaves have a white V-shaped watermark. Plants are dioecious (separate male and female plants). Under ideal conditions, plants can set seed as early as 4 weeks from germination. Some populations have developed resistance to herbicides.
Palmer amaranth foliage.
(Photo: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)
Palmer amaranth flowers.
(Photo: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Cultivate very young plants.
- Apply pre- and post-planting herbicides.
- Because of this weed’s rapid growth rate, herbicide application timing is critical.
