Pigweed, also called Amaranth, is any of about 75 plant species in the genus Amaranthus of the amaranth family. Most are short-lived, weedy species. The species most commonly planted in gardens is the non-native Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus). The amaranth family is closely related to the goosefoot family, which is well known for causing hay fever. Love-Lies-Bleeding is ranked 6 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a moderate tendency to cause hay fever.

Native Species

All four of the amaranth species that are native to Yolo County are native here in Woodland.

Native to Woodland

Prostrate Pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides), also called Procumbent Pigweed, is an annual herb that is native to all of Woodland, Davis, and Knights Landing, as well as the northern half of West Sacramento, the area from Woodland north to Knights Landing and south to Davis and west to Monument Hills, plus the Yolo County foothills (not including the Capay Hills but including much of the Dunnigan Hills). It usually grows in dry areas.

California Pigweed (Amaranthus californicus) is a six- to eighteen-inch-tall annual herb that is native to the southeastern three quarters of Woodland, all of Davis, all of West Sacramento, all the area between those three cities, and the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It has tiny red flowers. It prefers loamy or clay soil and usually grows in wet areas.

Palmer's Pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri) is an annual herb that is native to all of Woodland, all of Davis, all of Knights Landing, the northern two thirds of West Sacramento, and the area from Woodland north to Knights Landing and south to Davis, but not extending any further west than the western border of Woodland. It usually grows in dry areas.

Powell's Pigweed (Amaranthus powellii) is a six-foot-tall annual herb that is native to all of Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, and Knights Landing, and to nearly all the Sacramento Valley flatlands of Yolo County, although it does not grow much farther west than Monument Hills. It grows only in dry areas.