We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Amaranthus spinosus - L.

Common Name Spiny Amaranth
Family Amaranthaceae
USDA hardiness 4-11
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.
Habitats Roadsides, waste places and fields in South-eastern N. America[72].
Range Tropical America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Amaranthus spinosus Spiny Amaranth


ttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amaranthus.spinosus1web.jpg
Amaranthus spinosus Spiny Amaranth

 

Translate this page:

Summary

The leaves and stems of Amaranthus spinosus are eaten raw or cooked as a spinach. Remove the spines in older plants. Seed are easy to harvest and very nutritious. A native of tropical America and is found mainly in warm areas. Common names include: calaloo; needle burr; pigweed; prickly calaloo; prickly callau; prickly caterpillar; spiny amaranthus; spiny calaloo; spiny pigweed; sticker weed; thorny pigweed; wild callau. Spanish: bledo de espina; quelite espinoso. French: amarante épineuse; blette épineuse; brèche de Malabar; epinard malabre. Chinese: tsz-hsien.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Amaranthus spinosus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked as a spinach[2, 61, 177]. If older leaves and stems are used the spines must be removed[183]. Highly esteemed[183]. The dried leaves contain (per 100g) 267 - 276 calories, 20 - 34.4% protein, 2 - 4.5% fat, 45 - 54% carbohydrate, 9.8 - 10.4% fibre, 16.6 - 24% ash, 1795 - 5333mg calcium, 333 - 460mg phosphorus, 13.5 - 152.7mg iron, 13 - 37mg sodium, 337 - 3528mg potassium, 27.9 - 40.8mg betacarotene equivalent, 0.06mg thiamine, 2.02mg riboflavin, 7.7 - 8.6mg niacin and 503mg ascorbic acid[218]. Seed - cooked. Very small, about 1mm in diameter[266], but 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 valued food plant in Africa. In Thai cuisine, where it is called phak khom and in Tamil mullik keerai.

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Dry weight)
  • 276 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 30g; Fat: 4.5g; Carbohydrate: 50g; Fibre: 10g; Ash: 20g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 5000mg; Phosphorus: 450mg; Iron: 100mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 30mg; Potassium: 3000mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 40mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.06mg; Riboflavin (B2): 2.02mg; Niacin: 8mg; B6: 0mg; C: 503mg;
  • Reference: [ ]
  • Notes:

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.
Antidote  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Dysentery  Eczema  Emmenagogue  Emollient  Febrifuge  
Urinary  VD

The seed is used as a poultice for broken bones[218]. The plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge and galactogogue[4, 61, 147, 218, 238, 240, 272]. It is used internally in the treatment of internal bleeding, diarrhoea and excessive menstruation[238, 254]. It is also used in the treatment of snake bites[243]. Externally, it is used to treat ulcerated mouths, vaginal discharges, nosebleeds and wounds[238, 243]. The plant can be used fresh or it can also be harvested when coming into flower and dried for later use[238]. The root is emmenagogue and galactogogue[243]. A paste of the root is used in the treatment of menorrhagia, gonorrhoea, eczema and colic[243, 272]. It helps to remove pus from boils[272]. The juice of the root is used in Nepal to treat fevers, urinary troubles, diarrhoea and dysentery[272]. It is also used, often combind with the root juice of Dichrophela integra and Rubus ellipticus, to treat stomach disorders and, on its own, to treat indigestion and vomiting that occur after eating unusual foods[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye

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

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

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]. 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[196].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive for a number of crops including beans, coffee, cotton, cowpeas, mangoes, maize,mulberries, oil palms, papayas, pineapples, rice, sorghum, soyabeans, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, tobacco, and vegetables. it is a noted weed in Angola, Brazil, El Salvador, Ghana, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan , Thailand, and USA.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Amaranthus albusProstrate PigweedAnnual0.7 8-10  LMHNM201
Amaranthus bidentata Annual0.9 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus blitoidesMat AmaranthAnnual0.2 6-10  LMHNM201
Amaranthus blitumSlender Amaranth, Purple amaranthAnnual1.0 4-8  LMHNM422
Amaranthus campestris Annual0.0 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus caudatusLove Lies BleedingAnnual2.0 4-8  LMHNDM412
Amaranthus cruentusPurple Amaranth, Red amaranthAnnual2.0 3-11  LMHNM422
Amaranthus diacanthus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus dubiusSpleen AmaranthAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus frumentaceus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus graecizansSpreading Pigweed, Mediterranean amaranthAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus hybridusRough Pigweed, Slim amaranthAnnual2.0 6-12  LMHNM411
Amaranthus hypochondriacusPrince's Feather, Prince-of-wales featherAnnual/Perennial1.2 3-10  LMHNM432
Amaranthus mangostanus Annual1.5 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus mitchelliiBoggabri WeedAnnual0.5 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus pallidiflorus Annual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus palmeriCareless WeedAnnual0.9 7-12  LMHNM201
Amaranthus polygamus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM211
Amaranthus polystachyus Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus powelliiPowell's AmaranthAnnual1.8 6-11  LMHNM201
Amaranthus quitensisAtacoAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus retroflexusPigweed, Redroot amaranth, Wild BeetAnnual0.9 3-11  LMHNM322
Amaranthus standleyanusIndehiscent PigweedAnnual0.7 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus tenuifolius Annual0.0 -  LMHNM201
Amaranthus thunbergiiThunberg's Pigweed, Thunberg's amaranthusAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus torreyiTorrey's amaranthusAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNM201
Amaranthus tricolorChinese Spinach, Joseph's-coat, Fountain Plant, Tampala , Summer PoinsettiaAnnual1.0 3-11 MLMHNM312
Amaranthus viridisCalalu, Slender amaranthAnnual0.5 7-11  LMHNM321

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

T.Heleena   Thu Oct 23 2008

Kindly give me the Amaranthas spinosus plant papers and reports.

chennai I'm heleena .I doing project work in Amaranthas spinosus plant extract induced in STZ induced diabetic rats. kindly help to give the detailed report in this plant and also give the Sangameswaran and jeyakar 2007 paper.plz give me the reports and paper immediately.Thanking you sir.

Dulce-amor P. matondo   Mon Jul 20 2009

Hi, Your website is very helpful and informative. Amaranthus spinosus is an edible weed in the Philippines and you can find it in the market specially in the southern Philippines. I am researching on other economic and pharmaceutical importance of this weed. The ideas i got from your website helped me lot in determining which areas have not been explored yet. Please post more information regarding this plant in the future as guide for those who want to investigate more regarding this species. Thanks a lot.

John Michael Paraguya   Tue Nov 3 2009

Good Day to you ! Our Group want to conduct an experiment regarding the effect of Amaranthus Spinosus to the Blood Hemoglobin count of Mice , but , unfortunately , laboratories in our locality doesn't conduct Blood Test from animals . On the other hand , we are still not sure on what process we are going to conduct . During our first decision , we wanted to make a POWDERED TEA , and mix it with water , then , feed the mice . Can you please , suggest other procedures to get the desired chemical components of this weed . We are still hesitant to do this procedure , since , the processes are intricate , to think that we are still high school students . Thank You very much and More Power !

ladylane sayson   Sat Dec 12 2009

hi.. im an aggies i wanna know the life span of amaranthus??? thanks!!!

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Amaranthus spinosus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.