Amaranth
Amaranthus spp.
Amaranthus Spinach, Chinese Spinach, Joseph’s Coat, Inca Wheat, Love-lies-
bleeding, Prince’s Feather, Pigweed, Tassel Flower, Tumbleweed
Amarante {à Queue de Renard} (French); Amarant, Gartenfuchsschwanz (German);
Trigo del Inca (Spanish); Amaranto (Portuguese);
Plants of the Amaranthaceae family are fast growing annuals that produce either
high protein grain in large seed heads, and/or large protein-rich leaves which are
eaten like a spinach. Grain Amaranths have been grown for thousands of years in
South America, where the grain is still eaten, while the vegetable (leaf) Amaranths
are of Asiatic or Indian origin.
The word amaranthus has its roots in Greek, meaning “unwithering”—the plant
was regarded as a symbol of immortality. Ancient Greeks also considered Love-lies-
bleeding (A. hypochondriacus) to be sacred due to its healing properties and used the
plants to decorate tombs and sacred images.
Before the Spanish Conquest grain Amaranths were widely grown in the
highlands of tropical and subtropical America; in fact they were the major grain crop
in many parts of the Andes. The Spanish church suppressed the cultivation of
Amaranths in an effort to eradicate them, partly because they were used in pagan
Aztec religious ceremonies, and also to encourage the cultivation of maize.
These days the various species of the Amaranthaceae family are more commonly
cultivated for their leaves by Asian hill tribes, and to some extent in the plains of
India, the Caribbean and parts of Africa such as Angola and Zambia.
There are more than 800 species of Amaranthus, although their classification
varies according to the source—Latin names do not always correspond to the
commonly used name in English, which also vary according to country.
At least three species are grown for their grain and have good potential as
sources of protein:
Amaranthus caudatus (A. edulis, with club-shaped inflorescence branches, is one
race of this species)—grown in the Andean regions of Argentina, Peru and Bolivia;
known as Kiwicha. One form of this species A. hypochondriacus has red flower
spikes, grown as a garden ornamental known as “Love-lies-bleeding”. Very high
lysine content of 6.2%, similar to soybean meal.
Amaranthus cruentus occasionally grown in Guatemala and other Central
American countries.
Amaranthus leucocarpus (Syn. A. hypochondriacus or A. frumentaceus)—the most
widespread and important species. Grown mainly in Mexico and Guatemala. The
grain contains 15% protein and 63% starch.
The smooth pigweed Amaranthus hybridus has leaves that are used as a vegetable
similar to spinach—see penultimate paragraph “Utilisation” for details.
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268 TONY WINCH
Jimboa, Otchimboa, Ofumboa (Angola).