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Amaranthus viridis - L.

Common Name Calalu, Slender amaranth
Family Amaranthaceae
USDA hardiness 7-11
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.
Habitats A weed of waste ground and roadsides but the original habitat is obscure[144].
Range Tropical N. America? Original habitat is obscure.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Amaranthus viridis Calalu, Slender amaranth


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Amaranthus_viridis_Blanco2.262.png
Amaranthus viridis Calalu, Slender amaranth
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tau?olunga

 

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Summary

An excellent substitute for spinach. Leaves, the leafy stems and flower clusters are cooked and have a mild flavour. The seed is cooked whole. Common names include: African spinach; callaloo; green amaranth; rough pigweed; wild amaranth. Spanish: bledo blanco (Argentina); bledo manso (Colombia); bledo verde (Colombia); caruru (Argentina); chichimeca (Argentina); citaco (Argentina). French: amarante verte.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Amaranthus viridis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. gracilis.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked as a spinach[46, 61, 144, 177, 183]. A mild flavour[K]. The leafy stems and flower clusters are similarly used[183]. On a zero moisture basis, 100g of leaves contains 283 calories, 34.2g protein, 5.3g fat, 44.1g carbohydrate, 6.6g fibre, 16.4g ash, 2243mg calcium, 500mg phosphorus, 27mg iron, 336mg sodium, 2910mg potassium, 50mg vitamin A, 0.07mg thiamine, 2.43mg riboflavin, 11.8mg niacin and 790mg ascorbic acid[218]. Seed - cooked. Very small, about 1mm in diameter[266], but it is easy to harvest and very nutritious[K]. The seed can be cooked whole, and becomes very gelatinous like this, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth and thus some of the seed will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated[K]. The seed contains 14 - 16% protein and 4.7 - 7% fat[218]. The nutty edible seeds can be eaten as snacks or used in biscuits. A porridge can be made by boiling the seeds in water. In northeastern Indian it is known as Cheng-kruk and eaten traditionally as a vegetable. In South India it is known as Kuppacheera. It is also a common vegetable in Bengali cuisine and is called "note shak.

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Dry weight)
  • 283 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 34.2g; Fat: 5.3g; Carbohydrate: 44.1g; Fibre: 6.6g; Ash: 16.4g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 2243mg; Phosphorus: 500mg; Iron: 27mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 336mg; Potassium: 2910mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 50mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.07mg; Riboflavin (B2): 2.43mg; Niacin: 11.8mg; B6: 0mg; C: 790mg;
  • Reference: [ ]
  • Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Dysentery  Vermifuge

A decoction of the entire plant is used to stop dysentery and inflammation[218]. The plant is emollient and vermifuge[218, 240]. The root juice is used to treat inflammation during urination[272]. It is also taken to treat constipation[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well[K]. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. Cultivated as a food plant in the tropics[46]. Should this plant be called A. caudatus. L. 'Viridis'[200]? 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[196].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - sow late spring in situ. An earlier sowing can be made in a greenhouse and the plants put out after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good if the soil is warm[133]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

A very common weed that can be a serious in virtually any crop. Found in all warm regions of the world and one of the most common weeds in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate regions.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Amaranthus albusProstrate PigweedAnnual0.7 8-10  LMHNM201
Amaranthus bidentata Annual0.9 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus blitoidesMat AmaranthAnnual0.2 6-10  LMHNM201
Amaranthus blitumSlender Amaranth, Purple amaranthAnnual1.0 4-8  LMHNM422
Amaranthus campestris Annual0.0 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus caudatusLove Lies BleedingAnnual2.0 4-8  LMHNDM412
Amaranthus cruentusPurple Amaranth, Red amaranthAnnual2.0 3-11  LMHNM422
Amaranthus diacanthus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus dubiusSpleen AmaranthAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus frumentaceus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus graecizansSpreading Pigweed, Mediterranean amaranthAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus hybridusRough Pigweed, Slim amaranthAnnual2.0 6-12  LMHNM411
Amaranthus hypochondriacusPrince's Feather, Prince-of-wales featherAnnual/Perennial1.2 3-10  LMHNM432
Amaranthus mangostanus Annual1.5 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus mitchelliiBoggabri WeedAnnual0.5 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus pallidiflorus Annual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus palmeriCareless WeedAnnual0.9 7-12  LMHNM201
Amaranthus polygamus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus polystachyus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus powelliiPowell's AmaranthAnnual1.8 6-11  LMHNM201
Amaranthus quitensisAtacoAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus retroflexusPigweed, Redroot amaranth, Wild BeetAnnual0.9 3-11  LMHNM322
Amaranthus spinosusSpiny AmaranthAnnual0.6 4-11  LMHNM231
Amaranthus standleyanusIndehiscent PigweedAnnual0.7 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus tenuifolius Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus thunbergiiThunberg's Pigweed, Thunberg's amaranthusAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus torreyiTorrey's amaranthusAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus tricolorChinese Spinach, Joseph's-coat, Fountain Plant, Tampala , Summer PoinsettiaAnnual1.0 3-11 MLMHNM312

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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