Common Name: Indehiscent Pigweed

General Information

Amaranthus standleyanus is an erect to decumbent annual plant growing around 70cm tall.
The edible leaves and seeds are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally.
The plant produces seed prolifically. It has spread as a weed of disturbed ground from its original range in the Americas to many other areas of the world[].

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

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina. Naturalized in Europe in Spain[]

Habitat

An infrequent casual in Britain.

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.70 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 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. Used as a spinach[].

Seed - cooked. Very small and fiddly, but the seed is 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 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[], but poor germination rates are experienced in cool or cold soils[]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[].
Cuttings of growing plants root easily[].