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Amaranthus hypochondriacus - L.

Prince's Feather

Author	L.	Botanical references	200, 266
Family	Amaranthaceae	Genus	Amaranthus
Synonyms	Amaranthus hybridus erythrostachys - Moq. Amaranthus hybridus hypochondriachus - (L.)Thell.
Known Hazards	No members of this genus are known to be poisonous, but when grown on nitrogen-rich soils they are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. This is especially noticeable on land where chemical fertilizers are used. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.
Range	Southern N. America.
Habitat	A weed of wasteland and agricultural land.
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual growing to 1.2m by 0.5m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves; Seed.

Edible Uses: Colouring.

Young leaves - cooked as a spinach[183, 238]. Rich in vitamins and minerals, they have a mild flavour[K]. Seed - raw or cooked. They can be used as a cereal substitute. They can also be popped in much the same way as popcorn[183]. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for about 11 days[244]. They can then be added to salads[183]. Very small but the seed is easy to harvest and very nutritious. 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[K]. A red pigment obtained from the plant is used as a food colouring[238].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Astringent.

The whole plant contains tannin and is astringent[238, 254]. It is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and excessive menstruation[238, 254]. It can be used as a gargle to soothe inflammation of the pharynx and to hasten the healing of ulcerated mouths[254], whilst it can also be applied externally to treat vaginal discharges, nosebleeds and wounds[238]. The plant can be used fresh or it can also be harvested when coming into flower and dried for later use[238].

Other Uses

Dye.

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168]. A red dye obtained from the plant (the report does not specify which part of the plant) is used as a colouring in foods and medicines[238].

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well[K]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 7.5. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. Often cultivated, especially in tropical areas, for its edible leaves and seeds, there are many named varieties[183]. This is the most robust and highest yielding of the grain amaranths, though it is late maturing and therefore less suitable for northern areas[183]. 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[196].

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[133]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206].

Cultivars

'Burgundy'

The seeds are small and creamy white/beige[183]. A widely adapted cultivar, able to mature a seed crop in 105 days from sowing[183]. It has yielded well on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington and on the windswept plains of N. Kansas[183]. The plant is heavy yielding and has striking purplish-red foliage, stalks and seedheads[183]. Plants grow 1.5 - 2.1 metres tall[183].

'Golden Grain'

The grain gives a delightful crunchy texture when added to bread recipes[183]. An early maturing strain with golden yellow to orange foliage and seedheads[183]. The uniform short plants are about 1.3 metres tall[183]. Easier for mechanical harvesting, but less productive than 'Burgundy'[183].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[133] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[196] Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press 1990 ISBN 0-309-04264-X
An excellent book. Very readable, with lots of information and good pictures of some lesser known food plants of S. America.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[206] Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Well written and very informative.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

TERRI Sun Mar 4 2007

WHAT IS AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS? THIS IS THE NAME USED FROM WHERE I PURCHASED MY SEEDS, BUT IN THE PHOTO SHOWN FOR SEEDS THE LEAVES ARE GREEN, MINE ARE RED...HOW CAN I DISTINGUISH THIS PLANT, ACCORDING TO ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS BY DENI BOWN...MY PLANT IS AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS, MY CURIOSITY IS CAN I USE THIS PLANT MEDICINALLY AND EXACTLY WHAT PLANT DO I HAVE IN MY GARDEN..ANY INPUT, ADVICE

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future Mon Mar 5 2007

The identification of many amaranth species is difficult at the best, and A. hybridus is one of the most difficult because it is so variable. Many different forms have been produced over the years, some with red leaves. Many of its forms are commonly mis-identified as A. hypochondriacus or other species. I would advise you to visit the on-line Flora of North America where there is quite a lot of information on this. Try going to http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200006982 first. You can certainly use your plant medicinally.

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

elsa heeps Tue Jul 1 2008

Hi there I live on vancouver island and am wondering if you have a source for seed for this plant, thanks, Elsa

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

C. Sun Nov 8 2009

I know you say that black seeded varieties of Amaranthus are inedible, and tan or white seeded are, but are red seeded Amaranthus edible? Thank you.

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