Amaranthus Genus - The Amaranths

Family = Amaranthaceae
Genus = Amaranthus

Included Species =
A. caudatus
A. gangeticus
A. hybridus (North American weed)
A. hypochondriacus
A. paniculatus
A. retroflexus (Pigweed)
A. spinosa (Thorny Pigweed)
A. tricolor (a greens vegetable)
A. virdis

Amaranth is often used as an ornamental annual, with many different colors, shapes, and sizes. More importantly, amaranth is also a pseudo-grain producer and its young leaves can be used fresh in salads or lightly steamed like spinach.

The small seeds were used as grain by the ancient Mayan civilizations, and are making a comeback in the U.S., being used as a healthier replacement to enriched white-grain rice, as flour for breads, and as a unique (but tiny) snack, popped like miniature popcorn.

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