Cotyledons and true leaves are covered with white, mealy granules that look like frost. To top Grass Key Top of page 17. Cotyledons linear and hairless. True leaves are alternate and ovate with a small notch or indentation at the tip. This notch helps differentiate redroot pigweed from eastern black nightshade.
Leaves also have purple petioles.
To top Grass Key Top of page 18. Cotyledons small, ovate and green on both surfaces. First true leaves are ovate and simple with a wavy edge and petioles. First leaves have purple undersides. May look like redroot pigweed when very small, but does not have notch at leaf tip as redroot pigweed does.