Amaranthus macrocarpus

Benth.

Desert amaranth

Amaranthaceae Edible: Seeds 9 iNaturalist observations

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Description

An annual herb. It grows 50 cm high and spreads 30 cm wide. The stem is erect and stout. The leaves are oval and entire and taper to the tip. They occur one after another in an alternate fashion. The flowers are very small. They are in clusters in the axils of the leaves.

Edible Uses

The seeds are edible and can be harvested and eaten.

Distribution

It grows in inland Australia. It needs well-drained soils and an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 74
Checklist of NT Vascular Plant Species. January 2003.
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 194
Fl. austral. 5:216. 1870
Hunter, J.T., 2017, Is there a relationship between contemporary high Aboriginal plant resource locations and mapped vegetation communities? Cunninghamia 17:27-34. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. ISSN 2200 - 405X

Show all 6 references