Amaranthus hybridus

Amaranthus hybridus, commonly called green amaranth, slim amaranth, smooth amaranth, smooth pigweed, or red amaranth, is a species of annual flowering plant. It is a weedy species found now over much of North America and introduced into Europe and Eurasia.

Description

An annual herb. It is an upright plant. It grows 80 cm to 2 m tall. It is often green but can be dark red. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are oval shaped and can be 15 cm long. The flowers can be red, yellow or white. They are in spikes at the top of the plant and in the axils of leaves. The seeds are small and shiny and black.

Edible Uses

Young leaves and seedlings can be eaten raw or cooked as a spinach, added to soups, or used in other dishes. The leaves are nutritious with a mild flavour. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked as a cereal substitute, and are typically ground into flour for use in porridges, breads, and similar preparations. About 1mm in diameter, they are small but easy to harvest and very nutritious. When cooked whole the seeds become very gelatinous, but because they are difficult to crush completely in the mouth, some will pass through the digestive system without being fully assimilated.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and young shoots are cooked and eaten. They are also dried. The leaves and stems are chopped and added to pastries and salads. They are also fried with eggs.

Medicinal Uses

A tea made from the leaves is astringent and is used in the treatment of intestinal bleeding, diarrhoea, and excessive menstruation.

Known Hazards

No members of this genus are known to be poisonous, but when grown on nitrogen-rich soils they are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. This is especially noticeable on land where chemical fertilizers are used. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows well in fertile soil. It can grow in warm temperate places as well as the tropics. In Kenya it grows between 900-2,600 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America*, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Leeward Is., Lesotho, LIberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Sinai, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syria, Swaziland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. Cultivated as a food crop in India, there are many named forms. This species has the potential, through crossbreeding, of imparting early maturity to the white seeded grain amaranths. Most if not all members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The predictable growth behaviour makes it easier to maintain without having to apply containment methods.

Propagation

Sow seed in late spring directly in situ. For an earlier start, sow in a greenhouse and transplant after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good when the soil is warm, and a drop in temperature overnight aids the process. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.

Other Uses

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant. The plant is also noted as a dynamic accumulator and has a role in food forest systems.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anamena, Ataco, Ataku, Ataqu, Bayam, Bayem abang, Bayem selasi, Bederere, Bledo, Bonde, Bondokhotwe, Bonongue, Bredi-vermelho, Bredo-femea, Caruru-roxo, Celuanta, Chichimeca, Chorao, Crista-de-galo, Dahka, Den duoi chon, Doodo omutukuliki, Etang, Gannar, Ganaara, Goyi, Goi, Hanekam, Huisquilite, Imbuya, Isheke, Ityuthu, Izrodni ščir, Karuruwasu, Kenjele, Kpedekpede, Laal matnu, Lal cholai, Lisheke, Lu sui xian, M'boa, Mbuya, Mchicha, Moco de pavo, Mohok, Mowa, Ndangale, Ntatasika, Pasa, Penacho, Qing xian, Quelite, Quelite tintonil, Quintonil, Rough pigweed, Sarakh, Sariyara, Siarum, Sirken, Sorsork, Tamarayo, Telele, Terere, Tete abalaye, Theepe, Thepe, Tsunata, Umfino, Umtyuthu, Unomdlomboyi, Umbuya, Vowa, Wahkilitl istak, W'oa, Zumaraga

References (119)

• Abbiw, D.K., 1990, Useful Plants of Ghana. West African uses of wild and cultivated plants. Intermediate Technology Publications and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p 40 (As Amaranthus hybridus subsp. incurvatus)
• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Amin, M. et al, 2023, Edible wild plant species used by different linguistic groups of Kohistan Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 19:6 p 8
• Asfaw, Z. and Tadesse, M., 2001, Prospects for Sustainable Use and Development of Wild Food Plants in Ethiopia. Economic Botany, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 47-62
• Awas, T., 1997, A Study on the Ecology and Ethnobotany of Non-cultivated Food Plants and Wild Relatives of Cultivated crops in Gambella Region, Southwestern Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University. p 36

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