A native of western North America, occurring usually in disturbed ground, dumps, sandy fields, and roadsides.

Collected as early as 1880 by C. W. Fallas from Kent Co. (the sheet mixed with Amaranthus retroflexus); also in 1917 by by O. A. Farwell in Oakland Co., though reported by him (Farwell, 1919, 1927) as Amaranthus hybridus. The 1867 report in Michigan Flora, Vol. 2 and the Field Manual of Michigan Flora (from Washtenaw, not  Wayne Co.) has been re-determined as Amaranthus hybridus × A. powellii, though this still suggests the presence of A. powellii at that time. Despite these early reports, this plant has become common only in the last few decades. 

The rigid spiny bracts of this species give it a superficial resemblance closer to A. retroflexus than Amaranthus hypochondriacus. When robust, the inflorescence branches elongate, giving a distinctive look.