Lanceleaf ragweed
Amaranthus bidentata
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
An annual plant up to 90 cm high.
There are about 60 Amaranthus species.
Where it is found
It grows naturally in roadsides and waste places in China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China
How it is used for food
The leaves and young plant are eaten cooked. The seeds are ground into flour and used to make bread. CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and these are poisonous.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.