Slender Amaranth
Amaranthus blitum subsp. oleraceus

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A herb which can be erect or hang over. It is 80 cm tall. The stems are angular and curve in a zigzag manner. They often branch from the base upwards. The leaves are oval and 1-3 cm long by 0.3-1.5 cm wide. The leaves are wedge shaped at the base and have a sharp point at the tip. The leaf stalk is 0.3-2.5 cm long. The side veins can be clearly seen under the leaf. The leaves are without hairs but are sometimes tinged with purple. The flower spikes can be 1-10 cm long and have side clusters. The fruit are smooth and pale. Seeds are 1-1.2 mm across.

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs world wide in the tropics. In Papua New Guinea it grows best between 1,200 and 2,000 m altitude. In Nepal it grows between 1500-2300 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burundi, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Gabon, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Malawi, Mediterranean, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, South America, St Helena, Tanzania, Thailand, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

Leaves are eaten as a green vegetable, after cooking.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets. In Papua New Guinea an occasionally used wild edible leaf.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Mostly plants are self sown. Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ataco, Ban lunde, Bledo, Bwora, Carurd, Data shak, Den tai, Elope, Gerupu, Ilupu, Khuria, Kude sag, Kudum, Lattesag, Mboog'ennene, Tampala, Wild blite

Synonyms

Amaranthus ascendens Lois.; Amaranthus blitum L.; Amaranthis lividus L. Amaranthus lividus subsp. ascendens (Lois.) Heukels; Amaranthus lividus var. ascendens (Lois.) Hayward & Druce; Amaranthus oleraceus L.; Amaranthus oleraceus var. maxima C. B. Clarke; Amaranthus olitorius Besser;