Purple amaranth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Purple amaranth
Scientific classification
Genus:	Amaranthus
Species:	blitum

Amaranthus blitum, also known as purple amaranth or Guernsey pigweed, is an annual plant. This means it completes its whole life cycle in just one year. It belongs to the important plant family called Amaranthaceae.

What Does Amaranthus Blitum Look Like?

Amaranthus blitum is a plant that grows upright or spreads out low to the ground. Its stem can be single or have many branches, reaching up to about 3 feet (1 meter) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves are green or sometimes purplish. They can grow up to about 4 inches (10 cm) long and have stalks of similar length. The leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern around the stem. They are simple, roughly shaped like a triangle, and have smooth edges.

The plant's flowers are tiny and grow in a spike shape. Both male and female flowers are grouped closely together. After the flowers, small round seed pods appear. These pods hold disc-shaped seeds.

Where Does Amaranthus Blitum Grow?

This plant first came from the Mediterranean region. But now, it grows naturally in many other parts of the world. You can find it in places like eastern North America, much of tropical Africa, Western Europe, and Japan.

How It Spread to New Places

In Britain, Amaranthus blitum was first seen growing wild in 1771. It became more common in southern England during the 1800s but has since become less widespread. It is now well-known in places like Guernsey. It often pops up in waste areas, rubbish tips, and gardens. It likely spread from things like wool waste, coconut fiber, or even birdseed.

How People Use Amaranthus Blitum

Even though people don't usually grow Amaranthus blitum on farms, it is gathered from the wild and eaten in many parts of the world.

A Tasty Green Vegetable

In Greece, people call a type of this plant, Amaranthus blitum var. silvestre, vlita (βλίτα). They cook the leaves and tender shoots by steaming or boiling them. Then, they serve it with olive oil, lemon, and salt.

Similarly, in Lebanon, young shoots of the plant are picked. They are cooked with olive oil, onion, chili, and burghul (a type of cracked wheat). It's seasoned with salt and drizzled with lemon juice. People often eat it with pita bread. This dish is a popular side dish, especially in northern Lebanon.

Plants Similar to Amaranthus Blitum

The Amaranthus viridis, also known as slender amaranth or green amaranth, is a close relative. It is also widely eaten in many places.

See also

In Spanish: Amaranthus blitum para niños