Rough Pigweed, Slim amaranth

Amaranthus hybridus

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus hybridus is a ANNUAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. 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

Tropics. Naturalized in Europe[50].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Slim amaranth is an edible wild green and seed crop, highly valued across many cultures. The leaves are edible when young and tender, used raw in salads or cooked as a spinach substitute. They have a mild, slightly earthy flavor with no strong bitterness, though texture can be a little fibrous if harvested late. Brief boiling softens the leaves and enhances palatability [2-3]. The seeds are also edible and are produced in abundance. They are small, shiny, and usually black, though some reddish or brownish seeds may occur. Seeds can be eaten raw, but are better toasted or boiled, yielding a nutty, grain-like flavor. They are highly nutritious, containing complete protein (with lysine, unlike many cereals). Slim amaranth’s seeds can be ground into flour, cooked into porridge, or incorporated into breads and seed cakes[2-3]. Because it resembles Amaranthus powellii closely, the two are often confused — but both are edible and processed in the same manner [2-3]. Leaves and young seedlings - cooked as a spinach, added to soups etc or eaten raw[46, 61, 62, 159, 183]. The nutritious leaves have a mild flavour[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[22, 46, 61, 85]. Used as a cereal substitute, the seed is usually ground into a flour for use in porridges, bread etc. It is rather small, about 1mm in diameter[266], but 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].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent A tea made from the leaves is astringent[105, 222]. It is used in the treatment of intestinal bleeding, diarrhoea, excessive menstruation etc[222, 257].

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.