Translate this page:
Summary
Matweed, or prostrate pigweed, is a low, mat-forming annual that thrives in disturbed soils across North America and beyond. Its greatest value lies in its nutritious seeds, which are large, abundant, and easy to harvest. The seeds can be toasted, boiled, or ground, yielding reliable nourishment with good flavor. The leaves are less rewarding, with a harsh, acrid taste that only partly improves with boiling. While sometimes considered a weed in agricultural contexts, matweed’s abundance and prolific seed production make it a useful forager’s plant, particularly for those seeking a dependable wild grain.
Leaves are a substitute for spinach and eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. Naturalized in temperate North America, South America and Eurasia. Common names include: mat amaranth, prostrate pigweed, procumbent pigweed, prostrate amaranth, or matweed.
Physical Characteristics
Amaranthus blitoides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September 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
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Seed
Edible Uses:
Amaranthus blitoides produces both edible leaves and seeds, but their value is uneven. The seeds are excellent—large compared to other wild amaranths (about 1.3–1.6 mm in diameter), dull rather than shiny, but highly nutritious and versatile. Like other amaranths, they can be toasted, boiled into porridge, or ground into flour. The seeds are easily collected in quantity and are one of the best resources this species provides [2-3]. The leaves, in contrast, are less desirable. Fresh leaves have a harsh and acrid taste, with an underlying spinach-like quality. Boiling improves the flavor somewhat, softening the bitterness, but the result may still be unappealing to some palates [2-3]. The boiled leaves are not slimy, unlike spinach, and retain their firm texture. Their food value is fair, but they are clearly secondary to the seeds [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3/5 – Seeds are top-quality wild food; leaves are edible but harsh.Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 95, 105]. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it is used as spinach[206, K]. The leaves can be dried and used as a winter food[257]. Seed - raw or cooked[46, 61, 95, 105, 257]. Very small and fiddly, about 1.5mm in diameter[266], but the seed is very nutritious. Rich in starch[177]. The seed can be ground into a powder and used in making porridge, bread, mush, as a flavouring in soups, etc[257]. 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].
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
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Adhesive Dye
Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168]. A glue is made from the plant[257]. No more information is given, it is likely that the starch from the seed was used[K].
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. There is some confusion over the correct name for this species; some authorities consider it part of A. graecizans [58, 60], while others regard it as a distinct species [50]. 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]. Habitat: Found in disturbed sites, agricultural fields, roadsides, and open ground. Especially common in lowland areas but adaptable to mid-elevations. Native to central North America, it is now spread across much of the continent and into Europe. Blooms in summer; seeds ripen in late summer to autumn. Growth Habit: Low-lying, sprawling plant forming mats close to the ground. Responds well to summer heat.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
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]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Matweed, mat amaranth, or prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson).
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia)
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.
Moderate weediness. Native to central North America but now naturalized widely, including much of North America and Europe. Common in disturbed soils, roadsides, and cultivated fields. It can spread aggressively in the right conditions, though less problematic than Palmer’s or redroot amaranth. Possibly weedy or invasive in Nebraska, the Northeast, and the West US.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
| 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 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 |
|
|
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.
Now available:
Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions
350+ Perennial Plants For Mediterranean and Drier Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
[Paperback and eBook]
This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to
specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses
on species suited to Mediterranean conditions—regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters,
often facing the added challenge of climate change.
Read More
Expert comment
Author
S.Watson.
Botanical References
4350266
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
| Add a comment |
|
If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.
* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.
To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.
|
Subject : Amaranthus blitoides
|
|
|
|