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Starr 050222-4155 Amaranthus spinosus.jpg

 

NAME: Spiny Amaranth

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Amaranthus Spinosus / Amaranthaceae

COMMON NAME(S): spiny amaranth, spiny pigweed, prickly amaranth or thorny amaranth

NATIVE OR NON-NATIVE:  native

CONDITIONS:  sun, lawns, farm fields, urban areas

 

PARTS:

EDIBLEcid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

like spinach

RAW/COOK

Summer/Fall

Buds/Flowers

       

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Roots

       

Seeds

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 

RAW/COOK

Summer/Fall

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

 

 

Stalk

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENT:  Place leaves in boiling water and remove from stove for 20 minutes leaving the lid off. Should be thoroughly cooked, but retain green color.  Seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, or ground into flour.

 

CAUTION: Always go slow with any plant in case you are allergic or sensitive to it. // Although PFAF says that the stalk is edible, the stalk contains too much fiber for smooth digestion and can result in hard bulky stools. Also, Amaranth contains oxalic acid, to minimize, boil with lid off.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Grains supply protein, calories, and minerals. Leaves vitamins A & C along with minerals calcium, iron, and phosphorous, and also fiber. (Foraging Texas) Antidote;  Astringent;  Diaphoretic;  Emmenagogue;  Emollient;  Febrifuge;  VD. (1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES:

 

SOURCE LINKS (includes medicinal info and other uses):

  1. https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Amaranthus+spinosus
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/?s=Amaranthus+Blitoides+
  3. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/amarath_20.html (GOOD PHOTOS)
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranthus_spinosus