Mat amaranth
Amaranthus blitoides
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 15-50 cm tall. The stems are greenish white. Stems divided from the base. The leaves are dense and 1-3 cm long by 3-10 mm wide. The leaf base is wedge shaped. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The seeds are about 2 mm across.
There are about 60 Amaranthus species.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. In Argentina it grows between 2,900-3,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Alaska, Argentina, Asia, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves are used as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bei mei xian, Blitou, Hinka-nwe, Hin-nu-nwe, Koksor, Phat-khun-khaik, Razprostrti ščir, Saqta