Amaranthus tricolor

Amaranthus tricolor, known as edible amaranth, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Amaranthus, part of the family Amaranthaceae. The plant is often cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. It is known as bireum in Korea; tampala, tandaljo, or tandalja bhaji in India; callaloo in the Caribbean; and Joseph's coat in other areas, in reference to the Biblical story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. Although it is native to South and South-East Asia, A. tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world. Cultivars have striking yellow, red, and green foliage.

Description

A herb about 1 m high and spreads 45 cm wide. A small annual leafy green. An upright, much branched annual with a thin membrane covering the stems. Sometimes the plant lies over. The stems are angular. The plant branches in the upper part of the plant. It is smooth and grows from seed each year. Leaves have long leaf stalks which can be 5-10 cm long. Leaves vary in shape, size and colour. The leaf blade can be 5-25 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. Leaves are dull purplish and the top leaves can be yellow or red. Some types have coloured leaves or patterns on the leaves. It has a clumpy seed head at the top. The flower spike at the top can be 30 cm long. The seed are 1-1.2 mm across and black.

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a spinach, and are frequently harvested at the young seedling stage. They have a very mild flavour and make an excellent hot-weather substitute for spinach. The leaves contain approximately 3.5% protein, 0.25% fat, 6.6% carbohydrate, 3.1% ash, 24mg iron and 464mg calcium per 100g, and are rich in vitamin A with a fair content of vitamins B1 and C. On a zero-moisture basis, 100g of leaves contains up to 2441mg calcium, 1008mg phosphorus, 51mg iron, 34mg sodium, 4475mg potassium, 37,623 micrograms beta-carotene equivalent, 0.68mg thiamine, 2.37mg riboflavin, 11.48mg niacin, and 730mg ascorbic acid. The crisp interior of large stems is also edible — raw or cooked as an asparagus substitute — and makes a tasty vegetable. Seeds can be cooked whole but are very small at around 1mm in diameter; when cooked whole they become gelatinous, and many seeds will pass through the digestive system unassimilated unless well crushed. The seed contains saponins, so it is advisable to either soak the seed for at least 12 hours and rinse thoroughly before cooking, or to give it a long, slow cook to destroy the saponins.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves and stems are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is astringent. A decoction of the root combined with Cucurbita moschata is used to control haemorrhage following abortion. A decoction made from very old plants is taken internally to improve vision and strengthen the liver.

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 and subtropical plant. It grows in many tropical and warm temperate places. Plants grow wild in waste places. Amaranths grow from sea level to 2400 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. It prefers well drained soils. It needs a sunny position to yield well. For amaranth seeds to germinate they need a temperature above 15°-17°C. In the higher areas of the equatorial highlands above 1800 m., temperatures on the average are probably below this during the cooler months. It may be more difficult to get amaranths started during these months. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, Canada, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Europe, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, Northeastern India, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yemen,

Cultivation

The very small seeds of these plants are scattered over the ashes or fine soil in fertile ground. The seed are normally spread by rubbing the dry seed heads between the hands. Some types are self sown. These plants grow in most tropical countries. The soil must be fertile. If they are put in an old garden they will only grow very poorly. So they are either put in a new garden site when it is cleared from bush, or in build up the old ground by adding compost. The small gardens close to a house can often be built up to a good fertility by using the scraps and ashes and things that are left over near houses. Amaranths need high amounts of two nutrients, nitrogen and potash. The ashes from fires are high in potash so farmers scatter seeds of amaranth over areas where they have burnt. Amaranths are tropical plants grown in most tropical countries. Normally the hotter it is the better they grow. They also like plenty of sunlight and do not suit shaded places. The more sunlight the better they grow. They need to have water most of the time they are growing. In areas with a high rainfall this is mostly not a big problem.

Propagation

Sow seed in late spring directly in situ. For an earlier start, sow in a greenhouse and transplant after the last expected frost. A minimum soil temperature of 10°C is required for germination, with better results at temperatures above 20°C. A drop in temperature overnight can also help promote germination. Cuttings from growing plants root easily.

Other Uses

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant. The plant is also used as a dynamic accumulator and is suited to food forest systems.

Production

Plants can be harvested when small due to thinning out closely spaced plants. These can be either transplanted or eaten cooked. Plants can be harvested whole or have top leaves harvested several times. Harvesting begins after 4-7 weeks and can continue over 2 months.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Some species of amaranths occur in most parts of Papua New Guinea and they are one of the commonest cultivated greens. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 60 Amaranthus species. Chemical composition (Chinese sample): Protein = 3.5%. Fat = 0.24%. Carbohydrate = 6.6%. Reported rich in Vitamin A, with moderate amounts of Vitamins B1 and C. Chemical composition (after Hooper) (Green variety, April [Indian sample]): Water = 90.6% (fresh). Fat = 4.30% (dry). Albumenoids = 27.61% (dry). Fibre = 7.85% (dry). Ash = 23.98% (dry). Carbohydrates = 36.26% (dry). Nitrogen = 4.42% (dry). Phosphoric acid = 1.47% (dry). Silicates = 2.58% (dry). (Green variety, November): Water = 82.60% (fresh). Fat = 4.50% (dry). Albumenoids = 25.72% (dry). Carbohydrates = 36.84% (dry). Fibre = 11.89% (dry). Ash = 21.05% (dry). Nitrogen = 4.12% (dry). Phosphoric acid = 1.35% (dry). Silicates = 2.20%. (Red variety, April): Water (fresh) = 91.0%. Fat = 5.34% (dry). Albumenoids = 25.46% (dry). Carbohydrates = 34.71% (dry). Fibre = 6.96% (dry). Ash = 27. (dry). Nitrogen = 4.07% (dry). Phosphoric acid = 1.56% (dry). Silicates =1.97% (dry). (Red variety, November): Water = 84.5% (fresh). Fat = 3.77% (dry). Albumenoids = 24.75% (dry). Carbohydrates = 37.90% (dry). Fibre = 11.55% (dry). Ash = 22.03% (dry). Nitrogen = 3.96% (dry). Phosphoric acid = 1.53% (dry). Silicates = 1.57% (dry). It has 2.3 mg per 100 g dry weight and 1.2 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anana, Anantarika, Anga-sag, Arai keerai, Ariki sira, Badi chaulai, Ban chaulai, Barichulai, Bathua, Bayam kadong, Bayam, Bayam, Bilikeere soppu, Bireum, Chantili, Chaulai sag, Chauraiya, Chengkruu, Chorie danga shak, Danta shak, Dantu, Datha, Den canh, Dengo, Dengua-sag, Dengua, Den tia, Driti-damudamu, Een choy, Espinaca, Gai heng, Gotala matala, Gurane, Han ts'oi, Harawi, Hijau, Hinn-choy, Hin-nu-nwe, Hiyuna, Jenso ara, Joseph’s coat, Kayyatota kura, Kpedekpede, Kupei keeray, Kutilis, Lal mat, Lal note, Lal shak, Lal-sag, Lalsak, Lalru, Latte, Marsa, Marshi, Mathla, Moea, Mo tuo qi pu, Notay sag, Notiya sag, Pa hong, Pak hom, Pak khom, Pirum, Ran math, Ranga sak, Rau den tia do, Ronga moricha, Sad amaranth, Salad amaranth, Sanse Xian, Taduljira, Tampala, Telele, Terere, Thandankeerai, Tota kura, Totoe, Tribarvni ščir, W'oa, Yubua, Urai-pula, Xian Cai, Zepina

References (135)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 894
• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 202
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 33 (As Amaranthus gangeticus)
• Ara, R. I. T., 2015, Leafy Vegetables in Bangladesh. Photon eBooks. p 10 (As Amaranthus gangeticus)
• Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168

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