Palmer's Amaranth, Carelessweed
Amaranthus palmeri

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb which grows to 90 cm high. The stems and leaves are smooth. Leaves have long leaf stalks. They are alternate arranged around the stem. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are in cylinder shaped spikes 60 cm long.

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and temperate places. It grows naturally in waste places and fields at low elevations, also in interior valleys and deserts in California in South-western North America. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Britain, Central America, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Europe, Georgia, Germany, Korea, Mexico, Micronesia, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Scandinavia, South America, Sweden, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves and seeds are edible cooked. The leaves can be dried and used later in soups. The seeds are hard so should be crushed before using. 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

Its other names

Local names

Careless weed, Jijilaqhi

Synonyms

Amaranthus palmeri var. glomeratus Uline & W. L. Bray;