Spleen amaranth
Amaranthus tortuosus

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb plant. It is erect and grows up to 1.2 m tall. The stems are angular and the plant is often branched from the base upwards. Plants can be green or tinged purple. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-5 cm long. Leaves can taper to a point at the tip and taper quickly towards the base. The flower clusters are in spikes on side branches and these can be branched. The flower stalks at the tip can be lax. The flower clusters can be 10-20 cm long and either stick upwards or bend over. Most of the flowers are female. Seed are 1-1.2 mm across and rather flat. Several types occur.

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the tropical humid lowlands. It can grow in arid places. In Papua New Guinea it grows between sea level and 1,800 m altitude. It needs a night temperature above 15°C and preferably a day temperature above 25°C. It needs fertile, well-drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Argentina, Aruba, Asia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bu;garia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Ghana, Greater Antilles, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Nauru, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Oman, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and seeds are eaten cooked. They are often mixed with bitter leaf (Vernonia) or African eggplant. CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and these nitrates are poisonous.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. They can be broadcast in a nursery and then transplanted. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.

Leaves are available throughout the year in humid places.

Its other names

Local names

Anapatsavavy, Angews, Arakeerai, Atete, Bedegbele, Boa, Bukut, Bwache, Calalu, Cayo, Chow rai, Chowri, Claroen, Doodo, Eboga, Ekiliton, Epinard,Gbedebed, Ghedgbede, Handoukpo, Injewe, Kauntong, Khada sag, Kinione, Klaroen, Knoteshak, Libondwe, Lonenge, Maytse, M'boa, Misbredie, Muchicha, Ngelengbele, Sokoo, Sokusaku, Telele, Terere, Tete ve, Te uekeueke, Togba, Vowa, W'oa, Yonbita, Zergon

Synonyms

Amaranthus dubius C. Mart. ex Thellung; Amaranthus tristis L. var. leptostachys Moq.; and others