Posted on Leave a comment

Amaranth – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.

Amaranth leaves

Amaranth plant (Amaranthus species)

Amaranth plantThese plants, which grow 90 to 150 centimeters (35 to 60 inches) tall, are abundant weeds in many parts of the world. All amaranth have alternate simple leaves. They may have some red color present on the stems. They bear minute, greenish flowers in dense clusters at the top of the plants. Their seeds may be brown or black in weedy species and light-colored in domestic species.

Amaranth plant seedsWhere to find the Amaranth plant in the wild

Look for amaranth along roadsides, in disturbed waste areas, or as weeds in crops throughout the world. Some amaranth species have been grown as a grain crop and a garden vegetable in various parts of the world, especially in South America.

Amaranth stalk and seedsEdible parts of the Amaranth plant

All parts are edible, but some may have sharp spines you should remove before eating. The young plants or the growing tips of older plants are an excellent vegetable. Simply boil the young plants (preferred) or eat them raw. Some may contain higher than normal levels of nitrates depending on the level of nitrates in the soil, and should be boiled (but can be eaten raw if absolutely necessary).  Their seeds are very nutritious. Shake the tops of older plants to get the seeds. Eat the seeds raw, boiled, ground into flour, or popped like popcorn.

Amaranth plant picture identification guide

  • image thumb121
  • image thumb125
  • image thumb124
  • image thumb123
  • image thumb122
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *