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NAME: Mat Amaranth

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Amaranthus Blitoides / Amaranthaceae

COMMON NAME(S): mat amaranth, prostrate pigweed, procumbent pigweed, prostrate amaranth, or matweed

CONDITIONS: sun, farm fields, urban areas
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW / COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots
Leaves		Like spinach	COOK	Summer/Fall
Buds/Flowers
Fruits
Roots
Seeds			COOK	Summer/Fall
Nuts
Pods
Stalk
Bark

PORTION: small/herb

COMMENT: Amaranth - Superfood of the Aztecs, superweed to Big Ag. Many species. Delicious cooked leaves. Tastes like spinach. Place leaves in boiling water and remove from stove for 20 minutes leaving the lid off. Should be thoroughly cooked, but retain green color.  Seeds can be eaten roasted, or ground into flour.

CAUTION: Although PFAF says that the stalk is edible, the stalk may contain too much fiber for smooth digestion and can result in hard bulky stools. Also, Amaranth contains oxalic acid, to minimize, boil with lid off.

NUTRITION/MEDICINE:  Rich in vitamins and minerals, it is used as a spinach(1)

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

OTHER USES:

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses)

1. https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus & https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus+blitoides

2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/?s=Amaranthus+Blitoides+

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranthus_blitoides

4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth - many Amaranth species

5. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/amarath_20.html (GOOD PHOTOS)

6. https://www.chelseagreen.com/2018/amaranth-love-affair (recipe)