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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

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.

Plant 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:

Celsius 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]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 itâ€™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 Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Amaranthus albus	Prostrate Pigweed	Annual	0.7	8-10		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus bidentata		Annual	0.9	-		LMH	N	M	2	1	1
Amaranthus blitoides	Mat Amaranth	Annual	0.2	6-10		LMH	N	M	2	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	3-11		LMH	N	M	4	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 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	6-12		LMH	N	M	4	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	7-12		LMH	N	M	2	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	1.8	6-11		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus quitensis	Ataco	Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus retroflexus	Pigweed, Redroot amaranth, Wild Beet	Annual	0.9	3-11		LMH	N	M	3	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	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	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.

Amaranthus viridis - L.