Amaranthus or Pigweed represents a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Its genus includes more than 55 species. The blossoms come in blue, purple, red and golden colors.
In spite of the fact, that some its species are referred to weeds, people praise the plants as leaf vegetable, cereal and ornamental flower. Nowadays one can come across four Amaranthus species that are grown as leaf vegetables in Eastern Asia. They are Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus blitum, Amaranthus dubius and Amaranthus tricolor.
Today there are three Amaranthus species that are grown for their grain in Mexico, Europe and other places of North America. They are Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus.
Beside of Amaranth makes a perfect source of vitamins A, B6, v C, riboflavin. It contains such minerals as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese.
Amaranthus - Time-lapse video
Amaranthus
Amaranthus cruentus
By Stan Shebs - under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Amaranthus caudatus
By Kurt Stueber - under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Amaranthus hybridus
By MarkusHagenlocher - under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Amaranth
By MarkusHagenlocher - under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
