edible amaranth

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese amaranth
• Chinese-spinach
• Joseph's-coat
• summer-poinsettia
• Joseph's Coat

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaranthus tricolor var. mangostanus
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. obovatus
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. angustifolius
• Amaranthus tricolor proles tristis
• Amaranthus tricolor subsp. tristis
• Amaranthus versicolor
• Amaranthus tricolor var. splendens
• Amaranthus tricolor var. polygamus
• Albersia polygama
• Glomeraria bicolor
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. angustior
• Amaranthus tristis var. wightii
• Amaranthus bicolor
• Amaranthus cuspidatus
• Amaranthus flexuosus
• Amaranthus japonicus
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. parvifolius
• Amaranthus japonicus
• Amaranthus lanceolatus
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. rotundifolius
• Glomeraria tricolor
• Amaranthus mangostanus var. major
• Amaranthus melancholicus
• Amaranthus melancholicus var. obovatus
• Amaranthus mangostanus var. parvifolius
• Amaranthus melancholicus var. parvifolius
• Amaranthus tricolor var. bicolor
• Amaranthus melancholicus var. tricolor
• Blitum gangeticum
• Amaranthus mangostanus
• Amaranthus tricolor var. bicolor-ruber
• Amaranthus inamoenus
• Blitum melancholicum
• Amaranthus tricolor var. ruber
• Amaranthus gangeticus f. splendens
• Amaranthus tricolor var. elegantissimus
• Amaranthus polygamus
• Amaranthus gangeticus var. linearis
• Amaranthus melancholicus var. linearis
• Amaranthus tricolor subsp. mangostanus
• Amaranthus tricolor var. gangeticus
• Amaranthus tricolor var. melancholicus
• Amaranthus melancholicus ruber
• Amaranthus tristis
• Amaranthus salicifolius
• Amaranthus rotundifolius
• Amaranthus amboinicus
• Euxolus polygamus
• Amaranthus tricolor var. acutus
• Amaranthus henderi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Amaranthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several different continents and climate zones. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Germany. Its presence extends into Southwestern Europe, where it is specifically documented in France. Moving toward Northern Africa, the species is also located in Egypt. Finally, its range reaches West Tropical Africa, with documented occurrences in both Benin and Sierra Leone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Amaranthus tricolor is characterized by its preference for disturbed environments, specifically thriving in open managed roadsides and other managed open landscapes. This species demonstrates a specific altitudinal niche, with an average elevational range centered around 1560 m AMSL. Its tendency to colonize managed areas suggests an adaptability to human-altered habitats where sunlight is abundant and competition from dense forest canopies is minimal.

Elevational range mean:

1560 m AMSL

Habitat :

open managed roadsides, managed open

Life history

The life history of Amaranthus tricolor is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant in the soil until environmental conditions become suitable for regrowth. This life form is further categorized under the broader classification of therophytes, ensuring that the species can rapidly exploit seasonal resources to reach maturity and disperse offspring before the onset of environmental stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Amaranthus tricolor is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a terrestrial plant, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing independently rather than as a parasite or through epiphytic associations. The plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum height of 2.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.25 m, and can grow as short as 0.609607413 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.25 m

Plant height min:

0.609607413 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Amaranthus tricolor is characterized by a highly efficient carbon assimilation process, as it utilizes the C4 photosynthetic pathway. This specialized metabolic mechanism allows the plant to concentrate carbon dioxide around the enzyme Rubisco, significantly reducing photorespiration and enabling superior water-use efficiency and rapid biomass accumulation, especially in high-temperature and high-light environments. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Amaranthus tricolor is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the soil substrate to support its growth and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Amaranthus tricolor is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind as the primary mechanism for pollen transfer. The plant exhibits the ability for self-fertilization, which ensures reproductive success even in isolated conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits that typically measure an average length of 0.225 cm, with individual fruit sizes ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. The resulting seeds are remarkably consistent in weight, maintaining a uniform seed mass of 0.0006 g (6e-04 g), with no variation observed between the minimum and maximum mass measurements.

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass mean:

6e-04 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Amaranthus tricolor has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Amaranthus tricolor has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Defensin.

Defensin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Amaranthus tricolor has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antiulcer.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of natural products

Antinociceptive

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antioxidant

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Antiproliferative

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Antiulcer

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Medicinal Uses

Amaranthus tricolor has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include coronavirus, dysentery, fibrosis, gastric ulcers, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations