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Summary

A common annual weed with mildly flavoured edible leaves used as a spinach substitute rich in vitamins and minerals. The seeds are also edible. Common names include: White Pigweed, Tumble Pigweed, Tumbleweed, Prostrate Pigweed. U.S. name: Prostrate Pigweed. French: Amarante blanche. Spanish: bledo blanco. Portuguese: bredo-branco. German: weißer Fuchsschwanz. Brazilian: carurú-branco. Swedish: vit amarant.

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to August, 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

Edible Uses

Leaves and young plant - cooked[177]. A mild flavour, it is rich in vitamins and minerals and is used as a spinach[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. They can be ground into a flour and used to make bread[257]. Very small and fiddly, about 1mm in diameter[266], but the seed is very nutritious. 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

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Fresh weight)

0 Calories per 100g
Water : 0%
Protein: 3.9g; Fat: 1.1g; Carbohydrate: 9.4g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 3.2g;
Minerals - Calcium: 323mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 8.3mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
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.

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. 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

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

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, 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, 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, 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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Considered a serious agriculture weed in southern New South Wales, Australia. It may also be weedy or invasive in parts of the 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 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
Amaranthus viridis	Calalu, Slender amaranth	Annual	0.5	7-11		LMH	N	M	3	2	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.

Amaranthus - L.