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PLANT PROFILE LIST

 

Amaranthus retroflexus full1.jpg Redroot pigweed root

 

NAME: Amaranth

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Amaranthus Palmeri / Amaranthaceae

COMMON NAME(S):  Palmer Amaranth, pigweed

CONDITIONS:  sun/shade

 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW / COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

spinach

COOK

Late Spring-Fall

Buds/Flowers

       

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Roots

       

Seeds

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

nutty

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 to sit for 20 minutes, leaving the lid off. Should be thoroughly cooked, but retain green color.  Seeds can be eaten roasted,  ground into flour, or popped like popcorn.

 

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. One person said that they cook the stems in a pressure cooker, which appears to break down the fiber so that it can be easily digested. Also, Amaranth contains oxalic acid; to minimize, boil with lid off // https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus+palmeri

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: 

o   https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-869/amaranth   The leaves, stems and seeds of Palmer amaranth are edible and highly nutritious. The leaves are cooked as a spinach. The seed is also cooked and then used with cereal flours in porridge and breads. (1)      

 

LOOK-A-LIKES / RELATED:  mat and spiny amaranths

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: deadly nightshade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna

 

OTHER USES: Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant (1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (includes medicinal info and other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus+palmeri

  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/amaranth-grain-vegetable-icon and http://www.eattheweeds.com/palmer-amaranth

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

  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.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/goodbye-kale-7-reasons-why-amaranth-leaves-are-the-next-super-green

  7. https://foragerchef.com/common-amaranth-amaranthus-retroflexus-friends (recipe)

  8. https://www.ediblelongisland.com/2013/08/08/foraging-for-amaranth-eat-like-a-greek (recipe)

  9. https://www.healingtomato.com/what-is-amaranth

  10. https://www.oola.com/life-in-flavor/2475972/must-try-amaranth-recipes

  11. https://gourmandelle.com/amaranth-patties-chiftelute-de-amaranth

  12. https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tabbouleh-style-amaranth-salad