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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus_dubius is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It 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

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[177]. Used as a potherb, they are considered to be very palatable[183]. Seed - cooked. Rather small, but very nutritious, it can be ground and used as a powder. 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

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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

We have very little information on this species but it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in Britain. It is very closely related to A. spinosus[270]. This species most probably originated as a result of ancient hybridization between A. spinosus and either A. hybridus or A. quitensis[270]. It is sometimes cultivated in tropical areas for its edible leaves, there are some named varieties. The cultivar 'Claroen' is considered to be one of the best cultivars[183]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. 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

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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

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Nuevo León, Sonora, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán) SOUTHERN AMERICA: West Indies, Central America, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Amaranthus dubius	Spleen Amaranth	Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1

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.

Expert comment

Author

C.Mart. ex Thell.

Botanical References

270

Links / References

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Readers comment


Short article (compilation)on the contribution of indigenous vegetables to household food security.	Jan 23 2012 12:00AM

This seems to be the indigenous spinach type frequent in central East Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda) locally known as dodo.
World Bank on indigenous vegetables and food security

Amaranthus_dubius - C.Mart. ex Thell.