Amaranthus dubius
C.Mart. ex Thell.
Spleen Amaranth
(c) Mike Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Ross
(c) 傻子, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 傻子
(c) Gilberto Ponce Tejeda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gilberto Ponce Tejeda
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Seed
Leaves - cooked. Used as a potherb, they are considered to be very palatable. Seed - cooked. Rather small, but very nutritious, it can be ground and used as a powder. The seed can be cooked whole, and becomes very gelatinous like this, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth and thus some of the seed will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Tropics areas of South America and West Indies. Naturalized in Europe, Asia and N. America..
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Nuevo León, Sonora, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán) SOUTHERN AMERICA: West Indies, Central America, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
How to Identify
Amaranthus dubius is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species but it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in Britain. It is very closely related to A. spinosus. This species most probably originated as a result of ancient hybridization between A. spinosus and either A. hybridus or A. quitensis. It is sometimes cultivated in tropical areas for its edible leaves, there are some named varieties. The cultivar 'Claroen' is considered to be one of the best cultivars. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. Most if not all members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions.
Propagation: Seed - sow late spring in situ. An earlier sowing can be made in a greenhouse and the plants put out after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good if the soil is warm. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.
Medicinal Uses
Amaranth leaves in general are recommended as a good food with medicinal properties for young children, lactating mothers and for patients with fever, haemorrhage, anaemia, constipation or kidney complaints. The whole plant is used as a medicine against stomach ache.
Other Uses
Dye. Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.
