Spreading pigweed, Mat Amaranth
Amaranthus graecizans

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual plant growing up to 50 cm high. The plant is sprawling over the ground. It has a taproot. The branches do not have hairs. The flowering shoots are leafy. The flowers are in small clusters. They are greenish.

There are about 60 Amaranthus species. Plant in Tasmania is probably Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean and tropical plant. Tasmania Herbarium. In Ethiopia it grows from 900-2,380 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Angola, Australia, Asia, Balkans, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central Asia, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Hawaii, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sahara, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, St Helena, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and seeds are eaten cooked. The seeds can be ground and made into flat bread. CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and these are poisonous. The plant will cause diarrhoea if eaten in large amounts.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. They need to be planted near the soil surface. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.

It grows after rain and the first leaves can be harvested after 12 days.

Its other names

Local names

Annass, Boo, Bouamoa, Bouraboura ba, Boyo, Buuza, Chomachi, Cumadhe, Dhadah, Embooge, Eboga, Eboo, Ekiliton, Enie, Gana, Hamle tilian, Horoqota, Imbog, Kadringo, Ladah, M'Boa, Madighi, Mchicha pori, Morli, Ndelele, Nyabutongo, Obug, Obuga, Ocobo-lango, Ocoboro, Omvuga, Onvuga, Prostrate amaranth, Rasoota, Rasuta, Rwoga, Shin sag, Sirukeerai, Telele, Terere, Tseque, W'oa, Zabine, Zapina

Synonyms

Amaranthus angustifolius Lam.; Amaranthus graecizans subsp. aschersonianus (Thell.) Costea, Brenner & Tardif; Amaranthus silvestris Vill.; Amaranthus parvulus Peter; and others