Amaranthus polygamus

An annual amaranth, frost tender. Monoecious flowers pollinated by wind and self-fertile. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

An annual plant. It grows 10-20 cm tall. It has long branches that tend to lie along the ground. The leaves are 7-18 mm long. It has a small black seed.

Edible Uses

Both the leaves and seeds of this amaranth are edible and nutritious. The leaves are cooked as a spinach, though they have a very bland flavor. The seeds, though very small, are easy to harvest and highly nutritious. They can be cooked whole, becoming very gelatinous, but it is difficult to crush all the small seeds in the mouth and some will pass through the digestive system without being assimilated.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and seeds are edible cooked. CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and these are poisonous.

Medicinal Uses

The seeds are said to have aphrodisiac properties.

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

It is a tropical plant. It is damaged by frost.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Himalayas, India, Sudan,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know how well it will grow in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual. There is some confusion over the correct name for this species, according to this name is no more than a synonym for A. lividus. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. 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.

Propagation

Sow seed in late spring in situ. An earlier sowing can be made in a greenhouse, with plants put out after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good when the soil is warm, and a drop in temperature overnight aids germination. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.

Other Uses

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant. This species is also noted as a dynamic accumulator.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 60 Amaranthus species. Chemical composition (after Hooper): Water (fresh) = 53.30% (dry). Fat = 3.45% (dry). Albumenoids = 21.77% (dry). Carbohydrates = 39.02% (dry). Fibre = 10.36% (dry). Ash = 25.40% (dry). Nitrogen = 3.48% (dry). Phosphoric acid = 1.52% (dry). Silicates = 6.90% (dry).

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Adro, Champa-natiya, Cholai-ka-bhaji, Chulai-ka-sag, Chumlar-sag, Doggali-kura, Lal-champa-natiya, Pandi, Sag chaulai, Tandali, Tandulja

References (13)

• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. 203 p.
• Cent. pl. I:32. 1755 (Amoen. acad. 4:294. 1759)
• GAMMIE,
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 48
• HOOPER

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