Stiff Tumbleweed - introduced (*Amaranthus albus)

Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family).
Native of Tropical America.

Occurrence: Northern areas. In Central Victoria it is usually found along railway lines and main roads.

Identification:

• it is a low bush with white, spreading branches
• the flowers have a spiky appearance, because of the presence of pale leaves (the bracts) between the flowers
• the leaves are small and oval with pale veins.

Notes: Tumbleweed is more common in warmer districts. It is one of the plants that break off at ground level and tumble across paddocks. Tumbleweed is sometimes seen piled against fences.

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