Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Edible Wild Plants/Amaranth"

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(corrected translation of "alegría", the mexican sweet made with amaranth grain)
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{{Taxobox_begin | color=lightgreen | name= Amaranth}}
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{{otheruses}}
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{{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Amaranthus tricolor0.jpg|250px|Amaranthus tricolor]] | caption = Joseph's-coat (''Amaranthus tricolor'')}}
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 +
{{Taxobox_begin | color=lightgreen | name= ''Amaranthus''}}
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{{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Amaranthus tricolor0.jpg|250px|Amaranthus tricolor]] | caption = ''Amaranthus tricolor'' (Joseph's-coat)}}
 
{{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = lightgreen}}
 
{{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = lightgreen}}
 
{{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Plant]]ae}}
 
{{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Plant]]ae}}
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{{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Caryophyllales]]}}
 
{{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Caryophyllales]]}}
 
{{Taxobox familia entry | taxon = [[Amaranthaceae]]}}
 
{{Taxobox familia entry | taxon = [[Amaranthaceae]]}}
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{{Taxobox genus entry | taxon = ''Amaranthus''}}
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{{Taxobox genus entry | taxon = '''''Amaranthus'''''}}<br/>{{Taxobox authority new | authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]}}
 
{{Taxobox_end_placement}}
 
{{Taxobox_end_placement}}
 
{{Taxobox_section_subdivision | color = lightgreen | plural_taxon = Species}}
 
{{Taxobox_section_subdivision | color = lightgreen | plural_taxon = Species}}
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{{Taxobox_end}}
 
{{Taxobox_end}}
  
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The '''amaranths''' (also called '''pigweeds''') comprise the [[genus]] '''''Amaranthus''''', a widely distributed genus of short-lived [[herb]]s, occurring mostly in temperate and tropical regions.  Although there remains some confusion over the detailed taxonomy, there are about 60 ''Amaranthus'' species.  Several of them are cultivated for their edible [[leaf vegetable|greens]] or [[seed]]s, or as [[ornamental plant]]s.
+
The '''amaranths''' (also called '''pigweeds''') comprise the [[genus]] '''''Amaranthus''''', a widely distributed genus of short-lived [[herb]]s, occurring mostly in temperate and tropical regions.  Although there remains some confusion over the detailed taxonomy, there are about 60 ''Amaranthus'' species.  Several of them are cultivated as [[leaf vegetable]]s, [[cereal]]s, or [[ornamental plant]]s.
 +
 
 +
Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus ''[[Celosia]]''.
 +
 
 +
==Cultivation and uses==
  
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== Food uses ==
+
Several species are raised for '''amaranth grain''' in [[Asia]] and the [[Americas]].  Amaranth grain is a crop of moderate importance in the [[Himalaya]].  It was one of the staple foodstuffs of the [[Inca]]s, and it is known as '''kiwicha''' in the [[Andes]] today. It was also used by the ancient [[Aztec]]s, who called it '''huautli''', and other Amerindian peoples in [[Mexico]] to prepare ritual drinks and foods. To this day, amaranth grains are toasted much like [[popcorn]] and mixed with [[honey]] or [[molasses]] to make a treat called ''alegría'' (literally "joy") in Mexican [[Spanish language|Spanish]].
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Historically, amaranth seed was one of the staple foodstuffs of the [[Inca]]s, and it is known as ''kiwicha'' in the [[Andes]] today. The seed was used also by the [[Aztec]]s (they called it huautli) and other Amerindian peoples in [[Mexico]] to prepare ritual drinks and foods. To this day, amaranth seeds are toasted much like [[popcorn]] and mixed with [[honey]] or [[molasses]] to make a treat called ''alegr&iacute;a'' in Mexican [[Spanish language|Spanish]].
 
  
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Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods (see [[Huitzilopochtli]]) were made with amaranth mixed with honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the [[Christian]] [[eucharist|communion]] to the [[Catholic]] priests, so the cultivation of this seed was forbidden for centuries.  Amaranth was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties in the 1970s and now is commerically cultivated. Now it is a very popular snack sold in almost every block of Mexico city, sometimes mixed with chocolate or inflated rice,.
+
Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods (notably [[Huitzilopochtli]]) were made with amaranth mixed with honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the [[Christian]] [[eucharist|communion]] to the [[Catholic]] priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.
  
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Amaranth greens (called Chinese Spinach, Yin Tsoi in [[Cantonese (linguistics)|Cantonese]], In Tsai in [[Mandarin]]), are a common [[vegetable]] in [[East Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. The seeds are a crop of moderate importance in the [[Himalaya]].
+
Because of its importance as a symbol of indigenous culture, and because it is very palatable, easy to cook, and its protein particularly well suited to human [[nutrition]]al needs, interest in grain amaranth (especially ''A. cruentis'' and ''A. hypochondriaca'') was revived in the [[1970s]].  It was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties is now commercially cultivated.  It is a popular snack sold on almost every block of [[Mexico City]], sometimes mixed with [[chocolate]] or [[puffed grain|puffed rice]], and its use has spread to [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. Besides [[protein]], amaranth grain provides a good source of [[dietary fiber]] and [[dietary mineral]]s such as [[iron]], [[magnesium]], [[phosphorus]], [[copper]], and especially [[manganese]].
  
−
Because amaranth seed is very palatable, easy to cook, and its protein particularly well suited to human nutritional needs, interest in this crop (''A. Cruentis'' and ''A. hypochondriaca'') was revived in the [[1970s]].
+
'''Amaranth greens''', also called '''Chinese spinach''', '''hinn choy''' or '''yin tsoi''' ({{zh-cp|c=苋菜|p=xiàncài}}), '''callaloo''', '''tampala''', or '''quelite''', are a common leaf vegetable throughout the tropics and in many warm temperate regions.  They are a very good source of [[vitamin]]s including [[vitamin A]], [[vitamin B6]], [[vitamin C]], [[riboflavin]], and [[folate]], and dietary minerals including [[calcium]], [[iron]], [[magnesium]], [[phosphorus]], [[potassium]], [[zinc]], [[copper]], and [[manganese]].  However their moderately high content of [[oxalic acid]] inhibits the absorption of calcium, and also means that they should be avoided or eaten in moderation by people with [[kidney]] disorders, [[gout]], or [[rheumatoid arthritis]].
  
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== Ornamental uses ==
+
The flowers of the Hopi Red Dye amaranth were used by the Hopi Indians as the source of a deep red dye. This dye has been supplanted by a coal tar dye known as [[Red No. 2]] in North America and E123 in the [[European Economic Community|E.E.C.]], also known as amarynth.
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[[Image:Amaranthus caudatus1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Loves-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)]]
+
 
−
The genus contains several well-known garden plants, such as [[Love-lies-bleeding]] (''A. caudatus''), a native of [[India]] and a vigorous, hardy annual with dark purplish [[flower]]s crowded in handsome drooping spikes. Another species ''A. hypochondriacus'', is [[Prince's Feather]], another Indian annual, with deeply-veined lance-shaped leaves, purple on the under face, and deep crimson flowers densely packed on erect spikes.
+
The genus also contains several well-known ornamental plants, such as [[love-lies-bleeding]] (''A. caudatus''), a native of [[India]] and a vigorous, hardy annual with dark purplish [[flower]]s crowded in handsome drooping spikes. Another species ''A. hypochondriacus'', is [[prince's feather]], another Indian annual, with deeply-veined lance-shaped leaves, purple on the under face, and deep crimson flowers densely packed on erect spikes.
  
 
== Myth, Legend and Poetry ==
 
== Myth, Legend and Poetry ==
−
'''Amaranth''', or Amarant (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''amarantos'', unwithering), a name chiefly used in poetry, and applied to Amaranth and other plants which, from not soon fading, typified immortality. Thus [[John Milton|Milton]] ([[Paradise Lost]], iii. 353) --  
+
'''Amaranth''', or Amarant (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''amarantos'', unwithering), a name chiefly used in poetry, and applied to Amaranth and other plants which, from not soon fading, typified immortality. Thus, in [[John Milton|Milton's]] [[Paradise Lost]], iii. 353:  
  
 
<blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
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</blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
  
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It should be noted that the proper spelling of the word is amarant; the more common spelling seems to have come from a hazy notion that the final syllable is the Greek word anthos, "flower,"  which enters into a vast number of botanical names.  
+
It should be noted that the original spelling of the word is amarant; the more common spelling amaranth seems to have come from a [[folk etymology]] that the final syllable derives from the Greek word anthos ("flower"), which enters into a vast number of botanical names.  
  
 
In ancient [[Greece]] the amaranth (also called chrusanthemon and elichrusos) was sacred to Ephesian [[Artemis]]. It was supposed to have special healing properties, and as a symbol of  
 
In ancient [[Greece]] the amaranth (also called chrusanthemon and elichrusos) was sacred to Ephesian [[Artemis]]. It was supposed to have special healing properties, and as a symbol of  
 
immortality was used to decorate images of the gods and tombs. In legend, [[Amarynthus]] (a form of Amarantus) was a hunter of Artemis and king of [[Euboea]]; in a village of Amarynthus, of which he was the eponymous hero, there was a famous temple of Artemis Amarynthia or Amarysia (Strabo x. 448; Pausan. i. 31, p. 5).
 
immortality was used to decorate images of the gods and tombs. In legend, [[Amarynthus]] (a form of Amarantus) was a hunter of Artemis and king of [[Euboea]]; in a village of Amarynthus, of which he was the eponymous hero, there was a famous temple of Artemis Amarynthia or Amarysia (Strabo x. 448; Pausan. i. 31, p. 5).
−
 
−
== Species (with their common names)==
 
−
[[Image:Amaranthus.hybridus1web.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Green Amaranth (''A. hybridus'')]]
 
−
[[Image:Seabeach Amaranth.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Seabeach amaranth (''A. pumilus''), an [[endangered species]] of amaranth]]
 
−
[[Image:Illustration Amaranthus retroflexus0.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Red-root Amaranth (''A. retroflexus'') - from Thomé <br />F''lora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz'' 1885]]
 
−
[[Image:Amaranthus.spinosus1web.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spiny Amaranth (''Amaranthus spinosus'')]]
 
−
[[Image:Amaranthus.viridis1web.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Green Amaranth (''Amaranthus viridis'')]]
 
−
 
−
* [[Greenstripe]], ''Amaranthus acanthochiton''
 
−
* [[Sharplobe Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus acutilobius''
 
−
* White Pigweed, Prostrate Pigweed, Pigweed Amaranth, and White Amaranth, ''Amaranthus albus''
 
−
* [[Sandhill Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus arenicola''
 
−
* [[Southern Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus australis''
 
−
* [[Bigelow's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus bigelovii''
 
−
* [[Mat Amaranth]], aka. Prostrate Amaranth, and Prostrate Pigweed, ''Amaranthus blitoides''
 
−
* [[Purple Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus blitum''
 
−
* [[Brown's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus brownii''
 
−
* [[California Amaranth]], aka. California Pigweed, ''Amaranthus californicus''
 
−
* [[Tidal-marsh Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus cannabinus''
 
−
* [[Loves-lies-bleeding]], aka. Pendant Amaranth, Tassel Flower, and Quilete, ''Amaranthus caudatus''
 
−
* [[Chihuahuan Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus chihuahuensis''
 
−
* ''Amaranthus chlorostachys''
 
−
* [[Spreading Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus crassipes''
 
−
* [[Crispleaf Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus crispus''
 
−
* [[Purple Amaranth]], aka. Red Amaranth, Mexican Grain Amaranth, Prince&#8217;s Feather, and Caterpillar, ''Amaranthus cruentus''
 
−
* [[Large-fruit Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus deflexus''
 
−
* [[Spleen Amaranth]], aka. Khada Sag, ''Amaranthus dubius''
 
−
* [[Fringed Amaranth]], aka. Fringed Pigweed, ''Amaranthus fimbriatus''
 
−
** Fringed Amaranth, ''Amaranthus fimbriatus denticulatus''
 
−
** [[Fringed Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus fimbriatus fimbriatus''
 
−
* [[Florida Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus floridanus''
 
−
* Amaranthus graecizans (not accepted) = ''Amaranthus albus'' [[Prostrate Amaranth]], Prostrate Pigweed.
 
−
* [[Gregg's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus greggii''
 
−
* [[Smooth Amaranth]], aka. Slim Amaranth, Spleen Amaranth, Green Amaranth, Green Pigweed, Smooth Pigweed, Red Amaranth, and Wild Beet, ''Amaranthus hybridus''
 
−
** [[Gentleman&#8217;s Cane]], ''Amaranthus hybridus erythrostachys''
 
−
* [[Prince-of-Wales-feather]], aka. Princess Feather, ''Amaranthus hypochondriacus''
 
−
* ''Amaranthus leucocarpus''
 
−
* [[Australian Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus lineatus''
 
−
* [[Purple Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus lividus'' (synonym = ''Amaranthus blitum'')
 
−
* [[Quinoa de Castilla]], ''Amaranthus mantegazzianus''
 
−
* ''Amaranthus minimus''
 
−
* [[African Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus muricatus''
 
−
* Amaranthus myrianthus (synonym)(= ''Amaranthus greggii'')
 
−
* [[Trans-Pecos Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus obcordatus''
 
−
* [[Palmer's Amaranth]], aka. Carelessweed, ''Amaranthus palmeri''
 
−
* [[Reuzen Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus paniculus''
 
−
* [[Tropical Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus polygonoides''
 
−
* [[Green Amaranth]], aka. Powell Amaranth and Powell Pigweed, ''Amaranthus powelii''
 
−
* [[Pringle's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus pringlei''
 
−
* [[Seaside Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus pumilus''
 
−
* [[Ataco]], aka. Sangorache, ''Amaranthus quitensis''
 
−
* [[Red-root Amaranth]], aka. Redroot Pigweed, Rough Pigweed, Green Amaranth, Wild Beet, Beetroot, Common Amaranthus, and Careless Weed; ''Amaranthus retroflexus''
 
−
* [[Tall Amaranth]], aka. Common Waterhemp, ''Amaranthus rudis''
 
−
* [[Bone-bract Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus scleropoides''
 
−
* [[Spiny Amaranth]], aka. Prickly Amaranth and Thorny Amaranth, ''Amaranthus spinosus''
 
−
* ''Amaranthus standleyanus''
 
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* ''Amaranthus tamariscinus'' (synonym = ''Amaranthus rudis'')
 
−
* [[Thunberg's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus thunbergii''
 
−
* [[Torrey's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus torreyi''
 
−
* [[Joseph's-coat]], ''Amaranthus tricolor''
 
−
* [[Rough-fruit Amaranth]], aka. Tall Waterhemp, ''Amaranthus tuberculatus''
 
−
* [[Slender Amaranth]], aka. Green Amaranth, ''Amaranthus viridis''
 
−
* [[Watson's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus watsonii''
 
−
* [[Wright's Amaranth]], ''Amaranthus wrightii''
 
−
 
−
== Other things called Amaranth ==
 
−
*[[Globe amaranth]] belongs to an allied genus, ''[[Gomphrena]]'', and is also a native of India. It is an annual about 18 inches (450 mm) high, with solitary round heads of flowers; the heads are violet from the colour of the bracts which surround the small flowers.
 
−
*Amaranth wood or [[Purpleheart]] is from the unrelated ''[[Peltogyne]]'' ([[Fabaceae]]).  It has a unique dark purplish tone to it and is used decoratively.
 
−
*[[Amaranth (dye)|Amaranth]] is a dark red to purple [[dye]] once used for [[food additive|colouring food]] but now banned by the [[FDA]].
 
  
 
''Amaranth'' is also the name of the otherworldly pantheon that amuses itself by toying with individuals' luck in [[Tim Lebbon]]'s novella "The Unfortunate".
 
''Amaranth'' is also the name of the otherworldly pantheon that amuses itself by toying with individuals' luck in [[Tim Lebbon]]'s novella "The Unfortunate".
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In [[White Wolf Game Studio]]'s [[Vampire: The Dark Ages]] [[book]]s and [[role-playing game]]s, ''Amaranth'' is the medieval name of what then was widely known as ''[[Diablerie]]'' (consuming the blood and soul of another vampire).
 
In [[White Wolf Game Studio]]'s [[Vampire: The Dark Ages]] [[book]]s and [[role-playing game]]s, ''Amaranth'' is the medieval name of what then was widely known as ''[[Diablerie]]'' (consuming the blood and soul of another vampire).
  
−
== References ==
+
== Selected species ==
 +
*''[[Amaranthus acanthochiton]]'' (Greenstripe)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus acutilobius]]'' (Sharplobe Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus albus]]'' (White Pigweed, Prostrate Pigweed, Pigweed Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus arenicola]]'' (Sandhill Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus australis]]'' (Southern Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus bigelovii]]'' (Bigelow's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus blitoides]]'' (Mat Amaranth, Prostrate Amaranth, Prostrate Pigweed)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus blitum]]'' (Purple Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus brownii]]'' (Brown's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus californicus]]'' (California Amaranth, California Pigweed)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus cannabinus]]'' (Tidal-marsh Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus caudatus]]'' (Loves-lies-bleeding, Pendant Amaranth, Tassel Flower, Quilete)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus chihuahuensis]]'' (Chihuahuan Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus chlorostachys]]''
 +
*''[[Amaranthus crassipes]]'' (Spreading Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus crispus]]'' (Crispleaf Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus cruentus]]'' (Purple Amaranth, Red Amaranth, Mexican Grain Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus deflexus]]'' (Large-fruit Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus dubius]]'' (Spleen Amaranth, Khada Sag)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus fimbriatus]]'' (Fringed Amaranth, Fringed Pigweed)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus floridanus]]'' (Florida Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus greggii]]'' (Gregg's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus hybridus]]'' (Smooth Amaranth, Smooth Pigweed, Red Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus hypochondriacus]]'' (Prince-of-Wales-feather, Princess Feather)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus leucocarpus]]''
 +
*''[[Amaranthus lineatus]]'' (Australian Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus mantegazzianus]]'' (Quinoa de Castilla)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus minimus]]''
 +
*''[[Amaranthus muricatus]]'' (African Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus obcordatus]]'' (Trans-Pecos Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus palmeri]]'' (Palmer's Amaranth, Carelessweed)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus paniculus]]'' (Reuzen Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus polygonoides]]'' (Tropical Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus powelii]]'' (Green Amaranth, Powell Amaranth, Powell Pigweed)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus pringlei]]'' (Pringle's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus pumilus]]'' (Seaside Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus quitensis]]'' (Ataco, Sangorache)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus retroflexus]]'' (Red-root Amaranth, Redroot Pigweed, Common Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus rudis]]'' (Tall Amaranth, Common Waterhemp)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus scleropoides]]'' (Bone-bract Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus spinosus]]'' (Spiny Amaranth, Prickly Amaranth, Thorny Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus standleyanus]]''
 +
*''[[Amaranthus thunbergii]]'' (Thunberg's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus torreyi]]'' (Torrey's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus tricolor]]'' (Joseph's-coat)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus tuberculatus]]'' (Rough-fruit Amaranth, Tall Waterhemp)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus viridis]]'' (Slender Amaranth, Green Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus watsonii]]'' (Watson's Amaranth)
 +
*''[[Amaranthus wrightii]]'' (Wright's Amaranth)
 +
 
 +
== References and external links ==
 +
{{Commonscat|Amaranthus}}
 
* Lenz, ''Botanik der alt. Greich. und Rom.'' Botany of old. (1859)
 
* Lenz, ''Botanik der alt. Greich. und Rom.'' Botany of old. (1859)
 
* J. Murr, ''Die Pflanzenwelt in der griech. Mythol.'' Plants in Greek Mythology. (1890)
 
* J. Murr, ''Die Pflanzenwelt in der griech. Mythol.'' Plants in Greek Mythology. (1890)
−
 
−
== External links ==
 
−
{{Commons|Amaranthus caudatus}}
 
−
{{Commons|Amaranthus cruentus}}
 
−
{{Commons|Amaranthus hybridus}}
 
−
{{Commons|Amaranthus tricolor}}
 
−
 
 
* [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_hybridus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus hybridus]
 
* [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_hybridus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus hybridus]
 
* [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_spinosus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus spinosus]
 
* [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_spinosus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus spinosus]
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* [http://amaranth.twoday.net/topics/Amaranthus+Info/ Amaranthus Info]
 
* [http://amaranth.twoday.net/topics/Amaranthus+Info/ Amaranthus Info]
  
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Amaranthus caudatus1.jpg|Loves-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)
 +
Image:Amaranthus.hybridus1web.jpg|Green Amaranth (''A. hybridus'')
 +
Image:Seabeach Amaranth.jpg|Seabeach amaranth (''A. pumilus''), an [[endangered species]] of amaranth
 +
Image:Illustration Amaranthus retroflexus0.jpg|Red-root Amaranth (''A. retroflexus'') - from Thomé, ''Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz'' 1885
 +
Image:Amaranthus.spinosus1web.jpg|Spiny Amaranth (''Amaranthus spinosus'')
 +
Image:Amaranthus spinosus c.jpg|Callaloo (''Amaranthus spinosus "calaloo"'')
 +
Image:Amaranthus.viridis1web.jpg|Green Amaranth (''Amaranthus viridis'')
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
[[Category:Caryophyllales]]
 
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
 
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
−
[[Category:Caryophyllales]]
 
 
[[Category:Cereals]]
 
[[Category:Cereals]]
  
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[[de:Amarant (Lebensmittel)]]
 
[[de:Amarant (Lebensmittel)]]
 
[[es:Kiwicha]]
 
[[es:Kiwicha]]
−
[[eo:Amaranto nutra&#309;a]]
+
[[eo:Amaranto nutraĵa]]
 
[[fr:Amarante]]
 
[[fr:Amarante]]
 
[[it:Amaranto (alimento)]]
 
[[it:Amaranto (alimento)]]
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[[nl:Kattenstaart]]
+
[[nl:Amarant (geslacht)]]

Revision as of 21:18, 11 August 2005

Template:Otheruses

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The amaranths (also called pigweeds) comprise the genus Amaranthus, a widely distributed genus of short-lived herbs, occurring mostly in temperate and tropical regions. Although there remains some confusion over the detailed taxonomy, there are about 60 Amaranthus species. Several of them are cultivated as leaf vegetables, cereals, or ornamental plants.

Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia.

Cultivation and uses

Several species are raised for amaranth grain in Asia and the Americas. Amaranth grain is a crop of moderate importance in the Himalaya. It was one of the staple foodstuffs of the Incas, and it is known as kiwicha in the Andes today. It was also used by the ancient Aztecs, who called it huautli, and other Amerindian peoples in Mexico to prepare ritual drinks and foods. To this day, amaranth grains are toasted much like popcorn and mixed with honey or molasses to make a treat called alegría (literally "joy") in Mexican Spanish.

Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods (notably Huitzilopochtli) were made with amaranth mixed with honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the Christian communion to the Catholic priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.

Because of its importance as a symbol of indigenous culture, and because it is very palatable, easy to cook, and its protein particularly well suited to human nutritional needs, interest in grain amaranth (especially A. cruentis and A. hypochondriaca) was revived in the 1970s. It was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties is now commercially cultivated. It is a popular snack sold on almost every block of Mexico City, sometimes mixed with chocolate or puffed rice, and its use has spread to Europe and North America. Besides protein, amaranth grain provides a good source of dietary fiber and dietary minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and especially manganese.

Amaranth greens, also called Chinese spinach, hinn choy or yin tsoi (Template:Zh-cp), callaloo, tampala, or quelite, are a common leaf vegetable throughout the tropics and in many warm temperate regions. They are a very good source of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, and folate, and dietary minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. However their moderately high content of oxalic acid inhibits the absorption of calcium, and also means that they should be avoided or eaten in moderation by people with kidney disorders, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis.

The flowers of the Hopi Red Dye amaranth were used by the Hopi Indians as the source of a deep red dye. This dye has been supplanted by a coal tar dye known as Red No. 2 in North America and E123 in the E.E.C., also known as amarynth.

The genus also contains several well-known ornamental plants, such as love-lies-bleeding (A. caudatus), a native of India and a vigorous, hardy annual with dark purplish flowers crowded in handsome drooping spikes. Another species A. hypochondriacus, is prince's feather, another Indian annual, with deeply-veined lance-shaped leaves, purple on the under face, and deep crimson flowers densely packed on erect spikes.

Myth, Legend and Poetry

Amaranth, or Amarant (from the Greek amarantos, unwithering), a name chiefly used in poetry, and applied to Amaranth and other plants which, from not soon fading, typified immortality. Thus, in Milton's Paradise Lost, iii. 353:

"Immortal amarant, a flower which once
In paradise, fast by the tree of life,
Began to bloom; but soon for man's offence
To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows,
And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life,
And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven
Rolls o'er elysian flowers her amber stream:
With these that never fade the spirits elect
Bind their resplendent locks."

It should be noted that the original spelling of the word is amarant; the more common spelling amaranth seems to have come from a folk etymology that the final syllable derives from the Greek word anthos ("flower"), which enters into a vast number of botanical names.

In ancient Greece the amaranth (also called chrusanthemon and elichrusos) was sacred to Ephesian Artemis. It was supposed to have special healing properties, and as a symbol of immortality was used to decorate images of the gods and tombs. In legend, Amarynthus (a form of Amarantus) was a hunter of Artemis and king of Euboea; in a village of Amarynthus, of which he was the eponymous hero, there was a famous temple of Artemis Amarynthia or Amarysia (Strabo x. 448; Pausan. i. 31, p. 5).

Amaranth is also the name of the otherworldly pantheon that amuses itself by toying with individuals' luck in Tim Lebbon's novella "The Unfortunate".

In White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games, Amaranth is the medieval name of what then was widely known as Diablerie (consuming the blood and soul of another vampire).

Selected species

References and external links

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  • Loves-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)

  • Green Amaranth (A. hybridus)

  • Seabeach amaranth (A. pumilus), an endangered species of amaranth

  • Red-root Amaranth (A. retroflexus) - from Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885

  • Spiny Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus)

  • Amaranthus spinosus c.jpg

    Callaloo (Amaranthus spinosus "calaloo")

  • Green Amaranth (Amaranthus viridis)

cs:Laskavec de:Amarant (Lebensmittel) es:Kiwicha eo:Amaranto nutraĵa fr:Amarante it:Amaranto (alimento) nl:Amarant (geslacht)

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