Palmer amaranth closely resembles many other pigweed species, and is found throughout the southern United States from southern California to Virginia. Lower surfaces of cotyledons have a reddish tint.
Leaves occur on relatively long petioles.
Taproot that is often, but not always, reddish in color. A single seeded utricle that reaches 2 mm in length and are wrinkled when dry. Each utricle splits open in the middle to expose a single glossy black to dark brown seed that is 1 to 1.2 mm long. One central stem occurs from which several lateral branches arise. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants.