Powell's Amaranth

Amaranthus powellii

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus powellii is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is frost tender. 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 and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Eastern N. America

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Powell’s amaranth provides both leaves and seeds that are of high food value. The young leaves are tender and excellent in salads or cooked as greens. Their flavor is spinach-like, often described as mild with subtle nettle-like undertones, and without harshness or sliminess. Even the stalks remain tender, making it one of the better wild leafy greens [2-3]. The seeds are abundant, reddish-black, and nutritious. They can be harvested easily by tapping mature flower spikes, which release hundreds of seeds. Processing is relatively straightforward: the seeds are already dry enough for storage and only require minimal cleaning. Seeds can be eaten raw, toasted, or boiled. Toasting improves the flavor and gives them a nutty, popcorn-like quality, though care must be taken as they tend to jump out of the pan. Boiled seeds produce a hearty grain-like mush. Their neutral, whole-grain flavor makes them versatile for use in porridges, seed bars, or flours [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 5/5 – Excellent edible species, both as greens and as a grain substitute.Leaves - cooked as a spinach[257]. Seed - cooked[257]. Used as a flour[161, 177]. Very small but easy to harvest and 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.