Greenstripe
Amaranthus acanthochiton

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 10-80 cm tall. The stems have stripes. The leaves are alternate and sword shaped. They are slender and 2-8 cm long by 2-12 mm wide. The flowers are pale green. They are in dense spikes. The seeds are brown and 1 mm across.

There are about 70 genera and 1000 species of Amaranthaceae. They are usually herbs or shrubs and most are in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a temperate and subtropical plant. In Mexico it grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level. Arizona

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves and shoots are used as a vegetable and also dried for use in winter. The seeds are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acanthochiton wrightii Torr.;