Prickly/Spiny Amaranth
Amaranthus spinosus
On a rocky slope along Magadi Road southwest of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. Dec. 2015.
HERB: Mostly herbaceous, leafy stems trail close to ground occasionally rising to 50 cm tall.
FRUIT: The seeds develop singly from each flower.
FLOWERS: The flowers are small, green and set within closely packed spikes.
LEAVES: Alternate leaves are elliptic with toothed margins. The tip of the leaf can have a sharp point.
RANGE: This plant is native to the Americas, but has been widely distributed elsewhere.
ARMED. The sharp spines can be concealed until the plant is contacted!