Pigweed Facts
Pigweed Facts
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| Interesting Pigweed Facts: |
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| Pigweed has reddish green stem with numerous hairy branches. It can reach 1 to 6 feet in height. |
| Pigweed has pink or red taproot that can grow up to 8 feet in depth. |
| Pigweed has oval or diamond-shaped leaves with pointed tips. Leaves have long petioles and they are alternately arranged on the stem and branches. Color of the leaves can be dull green or reddish green. |
| Pigweed produces small light green flowers arranged in large spikes on top of the plant and smaller spikes in the axils of leaves. Spikes are coarse and spiny. |
| Production of flowers and seed starts in July and lasts until the first frost. Each plant produces individual male and female flowers (monoecious plant). |
| Fruit of pigweed is capsule. Ripe capsule splits to release seed. One plant can produce up to 100.000 seed per season. |
| Seed of pigweed is rounded and flattened, small, shiny, dark brown or black colored. |
| Pigweed propagates via seed. Wind, water and animals are responsible for dispersal of seed. Seed is able to germinate even after 40 years of dormancy. |
| Pigweed often grows near the soybean and corn and reduces the crop yield by absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. It also secretes chemicals that disturb growth of the nearby plants. |
| Name "pigweed" refers to the fact that this plant usually grows on the pastures where pigs are fed. Pigweed can be used in diet of cattle. Large quantities of pigweed can induce intoxication due to high content of nitrites in the branches and stem. |
| Pigweed was one of the most important crops for the ancient Aztecs. They combined ground seed of pigweed with corn and honey and consumed produced dough during various ceremonies. Leaves of pigweed were integral part of diet of Native Americans. |
| Leaves of pigweed can be consumed raw (as salad) or boiled (like spinach). They represent good source of iron, calcium and vitamins C and A. Seed can be consumed raw, in the form of flour or popped like popcorn. Seed contain substantial amount of proteins, fibers and vitamins A and C. |
| Some varieties of pigweed are used as a source of red pigment that has application in the industry of food. |
| Oil obtained from pigweed can be used in treatment of cardiovascular disorders. |
| Pigweed is an annual plant which means that it completes its life cycle in one year. |
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