important staple crop from the diet.
Most Amaranth species have annual life cycles, meaning an individual plant does not live longer than a single growing season. Plants grow 2-8 feet erect and have relatively deep roots that, along with leaves adapted to growing in high temperatures, allow them to be very drought tolerant. Amaranth seeds are about the size of a pinhead, but germinated seedlings grow rapidly once they emerge from the soil. Plants grow best in full sun when temperatures are between 70circF and 85circF and cannot survive in temperatures lower than 40circF. There are species of Amaranth growing on every continent in the world aside from Antarctica. In the U.S., Amaranth can be grown in nearly every USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: from 2a to 11b.
Amaranthus grain, from species such as Amaranthus cruentes, can be found in most major grocery stores and can be cooked in boiling water or used in baked goods. Amaranthus species produced for leafy greens, such as Amaranthus tricolor, are shorter growing and have more foliage.
Amaranthus species produced for leafy greens, such as Amaranthus tricolor, are shorter growing and have more foliage.
Amaranth greens can be steamed, boiled, blanched, wilted or eaten raw.
Amaranth in the Americas: Interesting fact #2
In the United States today, Amaranth is mostly associated with being an agricultural weed. For example, Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is ranked as one of the most economically damaging weeds on crop farms nationwide. Due to its speed of growth and adaptability, this Amaranth species has been found to reduce corn, soybean and cotton yields by over 50% by consuming water, light and nutrients. Amaranth's resilience as a fast-growing, drought-tolerant and heavy seeding plant has made it a very strong competitor even when it is being actively combatted by farmers. As of 2022, Palmer Amaranth populations are known to have developed resistance to 8 different herbicide sites of action—spray as you might, they may not die!