Red spinach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red spinach |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amaranthus
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| Species: |
dubius
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Amaranthus dubius, often called red spinach or Chinese spinach, is a type of plant. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, which is important for many useful plants. People around the world grow and eat this plant.
It has many common names, like spleen amaranth, hon-toi-moi, yin choy, hsien tsai, and Arai keerai (அரை கீரை). In Chinese, it's called simplified Chinese: 苋菜; traditional Chinese: 莧菜; pinyin: xiàncài.
Contents
Where This Plant Comes From
This plant originally grew in South America, Mexico, and the West Indies. But over time, people have spread it to many other parts of the world. Now, you can find it growing in tropical and subtropical areas. This includes places like Florida and Hawaii in the United States, parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. It can even be found in some areas of France and Germany.
What Amaranthus dubius Looks Like
Amaranthus dubius usually grows to be about 80 to 120 centimeters tall. That's roughly the height of a young person!
This plant comes in different colors. Some varieties are completely green, while others are red. You might also see some plants with a mix of green and red leaves. The green type looks very similar to another plant called Amaranthus viridis.
When It Flowers
In tropical places, Amaranthus dubius usually flowers from summer into fall. But in subtropical areas, it can flower all year long. This plant often grows in places where the ground has been disturbed, like empty lots or along roadsides. It's a tough plant that can grow well in these kinds of spots.
Amaranthus dubius is special because it's a type of plant that has more sets of chromosomes than usual. This makes it a bit different from its relatives. It is very closely related to Amaranthus spinosus and other plants in the Amaranthus group.
How People Use It as Food
Amaranthus dubius is a popular leafy vegetable. People eat it a lot in South and Southeast Asia, and also in Africa.
You can eat the leaves in different ways. Sometimes, it's eaten raw in dishes like thoran. Other times, it's cooked in tasty meals such as curry or bhajis. In Uganda, for example, people often cook it with onions, tomatoes, and a peanut sauce. It's a healthy and important part of many diets.
See also
In Spanish: Amaranthus dubius para niños
