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Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM wikimedia.org |
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| Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM wikimedia.org |
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Summary
Amaranthus watsonii, or Watson’s amaranth, is a little-known desert species with edible leaves and seeds. It is restricted mainly to sandy habitats of northwestern Mexico, with limited presence in southern California and Arizona. Though it provides nutritious greens and protein-rich seeds, its scarcity makes it a minor wild food resource compared to the widespread and prolific amaranths like Palmer’s or redroot. Still, its ability to bloom early in the season gives it a unique ecological niche, offering fresh greens and seeds at times when other amaranths are not yet available. Watson’s amaranth is an uncommon desert-edge species with edible leaves and seeds. While safe and nutritious like other amaranths, its limited range and abundance make it of minor importance as a wild food in the Southwest. Amaranthus watsonii is an erect or ascending annual plant with a stem that branches freely, especially near the base; it can grow 10 - 70cm tall[270 ]. The edible leaves and seeds are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally.
Physical Characteristics
Amaranthus watsonii is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Homotypic Synonyms: A. torreyi var. suffruticosus Uline & W.L.Bray. Heterotypic Synonyms: A. torreyi f. prostratus Farw.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Watson’s amaranth is edible, with both leaves and seeds available for use. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach. When fresh, they have the typical mild amaranth flavor with only a faint earthy undertone. Cooking improves texture and reduces any bitterness, making them suitable for soups, stews, or as a leafy side vegetable [2-3]. The seeds are small, dark, and nutrient-dense, rich in protein and minerals. Like other amaranths, they can be toasted, boiled into porridge, or ground into flour for breads and seed cakes. While edible and nutritious, Watson’s amaranth is relatively rare in the United States, so it does not provide the same abundance of seed harvest as more common species such as A. retroflexus or A. palmeri [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3/5 – Safe and nutritious, but not a major foraging resource due to its scarcity [2-3]. Leaves - cooked[46 , 85 , 105 , 161 ]. Used as spinach. Seed - cooked[46 , 85 , 105 , 161 ]. Very small and fiddly, but the seed is very nutritious. The seed can be cooked whole and becomes very gelatinous, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth, and thus, some of the seeds will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated[K ]. Like other amaranths, the leaves and seeds of Watson’s amaranth are edible. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, though they sometimes contain oxalates and nitrates. These are usually present at levels too low to cause concern in a balanced diet. Boiling the leaves reduces nitrate levels, but oxalates remain largely unaffected. Seeds are safer, highly nutritious, and a long-proven food resource across many cultures [2-3]. Food Potential: Leaves: Edible fresh or boiled, though less abundant than other amaranths. Seeds: Small, dark, and nutritious, they can be toasted, boiled into porridge, or ground into flour. Like most amaranths, seed harvest is relatively easy compared to other wild grains [2-3]. Foraging Notes: Due to its scarcity, Watson’s amaranth was not historically a major food source for southwestern foragers. Other amaranth species, such as Palmer’s or Powell’s amaranth, were far more important for both seeds and leaves [2-3].
References More on Edible Uses
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.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168 ].
Special Uses
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 are particularly susceptible to attacks by leaf-chewing insects[298 ]. 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. The 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway' is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight, and under dry conditions[196 ]. It is an annual plant that grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome. Habitat & Range: Watson’s amaranth is primarily native to Mexico, particularly sandy soils around the Sea of Cortez. In the U.S., it is limited to the Salton Sea area of southern California and the sandy regions of southwestern Arizona. Unlike most amaranths, it may bloom as early as late winter or early spring, depending on conditions. USDA Hardiness Zone: 8–11. Weed Potential: Low – not aggressive compared to other amaranths; its rarity in the U.S. limits its spread. Moisture: Drought-tolerant once established, though germination responds to seasonal rainfall. Habitat: Native primarily to northwestern Mexico (including the Baja California region and around the Sea of Cortez). Extends into the southern U.S. deserts, including parts of California (Salton Sea region) and southwestern Arizona. Found in sandy flats, coastal dunes, and disturbed desert soils. Unlike many amaranths, it can flower and set seed in late winter or early spring, capitalizing on cooler desert growing conditions.
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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Plant 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 ], but poor germination rates are experienced in cool or cold soils[289 ]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133 ]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Watson’s or Baja amaranth
Native Range
Native to: Arizona, California, Mexico Northwest. Introduced into: Greece.
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.
Low – not aggressive compared to other amaranths; its rarity in the U.S. limits its spread. Its distribution is more restricted, mainly sandy coastal and desert areas.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Amaranthus acanthochiton | Greenstripe Amaranth | Annual | 0.5 |
7-10
| F | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Amaranthus albus | Prostrate Pigweed | Annual | 0.7 |
4-10
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus bidentata | | Annual | 0.9 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Amaranthus blitoides | Mat Amaranth | Annual | 0.2 |
4-10
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus blitum | Slender Amaranth, Purple amaranth | Annual | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Amaranthus campestris | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Amaranthus caudatus | Love Lies Bleeding | Annual | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Amaranthus cruentus | Purple Amaranth, Red amaranth | Annual | 2.0 |
4-10
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Amaranthus diacanthus | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus dubius | Spleen Amaranth | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus fimbriatus | Fringed Amaranth | Annual | 0.6 |
5-10
| F | LM | N | DM | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Amaranthus frumentaceus | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus graecizans | Spreading Pigweed, Mediterranean amaranth | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus hybridus | Rough Pigweed, Slim amaranth | Annual | 2.0 |
5-12
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus | Prince's Feather, Prince-of-wales feather | Annual/Perennial | 1.2 |
3-10
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Amaranthus mangostanus | | Annual | 1.5 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus mitchellii | Boggabri Weed | Annual | 0.5 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus pallidiflorus | | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus palmeri | Careless Weed | Annual | 0.9 |
6-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus polygamus | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Amaranthus polystachyus | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus powellii | Powell's Amaranth | Annual | 1.5 |
5-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus quitensis | Ataco | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus retroflexus | Pigweed, Redroot amaranth, Wild Beet | Annual | 0.9 |
5-11
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Amaranthus spinosus | Spiny Amaranth | Annual | 0.6 |
4-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Amaranthus standleyanus | Indehiscent Pigweed | Annual | 0.7 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus tenuifolius | | Annual | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus thunbergii | Thunberg's Pigweed, Thunberg's amaranthus | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus torreyi | Torrey's amaranthus | Annual | 0.8 |
6-10
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Amaranthus tricolor | Chinese Spinach, Joseph's-coat, Fountain Plant, Tampala , Summer Poinsettia | Annual | 1.0 |
3-11
| M | LMH | N | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
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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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Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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