Prostrate Pigweed

Amaranthus albus

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus albus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 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.

Distribution

Southern N. America. Naturalized or casual in most of Europe[50].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Amaranthus albus is valued almost entirely for its seeds, which are among the best wild grains produced by North American amaranths. The small, glossy black seeds (with occasional reddish-brown ones) fall easily from the capsules and can be harvested in large numbers with little effort. Processing is straightforward since the chaff is lightweight and readily separated by winnowing [2-3]. The seeds are highly versatile. Toasting gives them a popcorn-like crunch, and they can also be boiled into a porridge, ground into flour, or combined into seed bars. Each method yields good results, with a mild, whole-grain flavor that adapts well to other foods. Their excellent storage qualities made them an important traditional food resource [2-3]. Leaves are technically edible but are not especially valued compared to the seeds, which remain the plant’s real food contribution [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 4/5 – Seeds are abundant, nutritious, easy to harvest, and store well.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].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

No members of this genus are known to be poisonous, but when grown on nitrogen-rich soils they are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. This is especially noticeable on land where chemical fertilizers are used. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.