Canahua, Canihua, Quaniwa, Kaniwa
Chenopodium pallidicaule

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual plant. It grows 25-70 cm high. Two kinds occur. One is more erect while the other in more branching. The leaves have 3 lobes and have leaf stalks. The leaves are alternate. At maturity the leaves and stem turn yellow, pink, orange, red or purple. The flowers are on top and at the ends of branches. The flowers are small. The seed is 0.5-1.5 mm across. They are brown or black.

There are about 100-150-250 Chenopodium species. They are mostly in temperate regions. It is 15-19 % protein. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is cold resistant. It is more tolerant of cold than quinoa. It can tolerate frost and dry soils. It grows in the high Andes. It grows between 3,500 and 4,100 m altitude. It is not affected by daylength. The plant needs 500-800 mm of rain. It can tolerate drought. It cannot stand high humidity when young. It can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C and up to 28°C. It needs a pH between 4.8 and 8.5. It can tolerate some salinity.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The seed is used to make a flour called canihuaco. This is used in soups, stews, desserts and to flavour drinks. Up to 20% can be added to bread flour. The toasted seed can be ground and mixed with sugar and milk as a breakfast cereal.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Seeds will grow immediately. The seed is broadcast at 5-8 kg per hectare.

Seeds ripe gradually. Plants are therefore pulled up and shaken but threshed again after 10-15 days. Yields of 400-800 kg per hectare are possible.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chenopodium canihua O. F. Cook [Invalid];