Amaranth Greens, Wild Cabbage, Slim Amaranth
Amaranthus hybridus
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
An annual herb. It is an upright plant. It grows 80 cm to 2 m tall. It is often green but can be dark red. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are oval shaped and can be 15 cm long. The flowers can be red, yellow or white. They are in spikes at the top of the plant and in the axils of leaves. The seeds are small and shiny and black.
There are about 60 Amaranthus species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows well in fertile soil. It can grow in warm temperate places as well as the tropics. In Kenya it grows between 900-2,600 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Leeward Is., Lesotho, LIberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Sinai, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syria, Swaziland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves and young shoots are cooked and eaten. They are also dried. The leaves and stems are chopped and added to pastries and salads. They are also fried with eggs.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Anamena, Ataco, Ataku, Ataqu, Bayam, Bayem abang, Bayem selasi, Bederere, Bledo, Bonde, Bondokhotwe, Bonongue, Bredi-vermelho, Bredo-femea, Caruru-roxo, Celuanta, Chichimeca, Chorao, Crista-de-galo, Dahka, Den duoi chon, Doodo omutukuliki, Etang, Gannar, Ganaara, Goyi, Goi, Hanekam, Huisquilite, Imbuya, Isheke, Ityuthu, Izrodni ščir, Karuruwasu, Kenjele, Kpedekpede, Laal matnu, Lal cholai, Lisheke, Lu sui xian, M'boa, Mbuya, Mchicha, Moco de pavo, Mohok, Mowa, Ndangale, Ntatasika, Pasa, Penacho, Qing xian, Quelite, Quelite tintonil, Quintonil, Rough pigweed, Sarakh, Sariyara, Siarum, Sirken, Sorsork, Tamarayo, Telele, Terere, Tete abalaye, Theepe, Thepe, Tsunata, Umfino, Umtyuthu, Unomdlomboyi, Umbuya, Vowa, Wahkilitl istak, W'oa, Zumaraga
Synonyms
Amaranthus aureus Moq.; Amaranthus batalleri Sennen; Amaranthus bellardii Moq.; Amaranthus berchtholdii Moq.; Amaranthus catechu Moq.; Amaranthus chlorostachys Willd.; Amaranthus eugenii Sennen; Amaranthus flavescens Moq.; Amaranthus hecticus Willd.; Amaranthus hybridus var. (several); Amaranthus incurvatus Trimen ex Gren. & Gord.; Amaranthus intermedius Guss. ex Moq.; Amaranthus laetus Willd.; Amaranthus laxiflorus Cornelli ex Pollini; Amaranthus neglectus Moq.; Amaranthus nepalensis Moq.; Amaranthus paniculatus var. sanguineus Regel; Amaranthus patulus Bertol.; Amaranthus pseudoretroflexus (Thell.) Almq.; Amaranthus retroflexus sensu Coutrois, non Linnaeus; Amaranthus spicatus Rchb.; Amaranthus timeroyi Jord. ex Moq.; Amaranthus trivialis Rota; Galliaria hybrida (L.) Nieuwl.;