Thunberg’s Pigweed, Thunberg's Amaranth
Amaranthus thunbergii

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb growing 50 cm high. The plant usually sprawls along the ground. The leaves are simple and arranged in spirals. The leaf stalk is 4 cm long. The leaf blade is spoon shaped and 2-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base. The flowering shoots are leafy. The flowers have prickly hair-like points. The flowers are green in clusters in the axils of leaves.

There are about 60 Amaranthus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits hot and arid places. It is often in places with a marked dry season. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are edible cooked. They are also dried and stored. The seeds are ground into flour and cooked. CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates if grown with high nitrogen inorganic fertilisers and these are poisonous.

It is commonly eaten in southern Africa. It is normally harvested from the wild.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds should be sown shallowly and emerge in 3-5 days. Repeated harvesting stimulates the continued growth of new shoots.

Its other names

Local names

Bonongwe, Cape pigweed, Hanekam, Hondebos, Imbuya, Indwabaza, Insheke, Kelp kukuy, Mberekete, Mbowa, Mbuya, Mchicha pori, Mowa, Imbuya, Ityuthu, Ptanya, Raafuu, Ranzakka, Theebe, Theepe, Thepe, Thyeke, Umbhida, Vowa

Synonyms

Amaranthus albus Thunb. [Illegitimate];