Common Name: Powell's Amaranth

General Information

Amaranthus powellii is a vigorous annual plant with an erect stem that can be branched (mainly in the inflorescence) or almost unbranched; it can grow 30 - 150cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[].
The edible leaves and seeds are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally.

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.

Botanical References

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Range

N. America - originally native to the southwest, now found from British Colombia to Quebec, south to California, northern Mexico and Florida.

Habitat

Waste places[]. Disturbed habitats, agricultural fields, railroads, roadsides, waste areas, banks of rivers, lakes, and streams; at elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[]. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well[].
Plants are particularly susceptible to attacks by leaf-chewing insects[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked as a spinach[].

Seed - cooked[]. Used as a flour[, ]. Very small 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[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. Germination is usually rapid and good if the soil is warm[], but poor germination rates are experienced in cool or cold soils[]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[].
Cuttings of growing plants root easily[].

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