Common Waterhemp
Seedlings. Key characteristics: cotyledons are very small and nearly linear.
Vegetative plants. Key characteristics: leaves and stems are smooth giving the plant a glossy appearance. Leaves are longer and narrower than those of redroot pigweed.
Early season infestation of common waterhemp.
Stem color is highly variable in common waterhemp, ranging from yellowish-green to red or reddish-purple.
Common waterhemp has dioecious flowers, meaning that male and female flowers are present on separate plants. Male flowers on left plant; female flowers on right plant.
Seed. Seed are flattened and oval-shaped with a glossy shine. Diameter is slightly less than 1.0 mm.
Cattle and swine are the animals most likely to be affected; goats and sheep can also be poisoned. Leaves, stems and roots are toxic. The most common symptom in cattle is bloat as it accumulates nitrates.
Life cycle: summer annual.