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| − | {{otheruses}}
| + | <noinclude><translate><!--T:1--> |
| − | {{redirect|Amarant|the [[Final Fantasy IX]] character|Amarant Coral}}
| + | </noinclude> |
| − | {{Taxobox
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| − | | color = lightgreen
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| − | | name = ''Amaranthus''
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| − | | image = Amaranthus tricolor0.jpg
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| − | | image_width = 250px
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| − | | image_caption = ''Amaranthus caudatus''
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| − | | regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| − | | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| − | | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| − | | ordo = [[Caryophyllales]]
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| − | | familia = [[Amaranthaceae]]
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| − | | subfamilia = [[Amaranthoideae]]
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| − | | genus = '''''Amaranthus'''''
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| − | | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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| − | | subdivision_ranks = Species
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| − | | subdivision =
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus acanthochiton]]'' greenstripe
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus acutilobius]]'' sharp-lobe amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus albus]]'' white pigweed, prostrate pigweed, pigweed amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus arenicola]]'' sandhill amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus australis]]'' southern amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus bigelovii]]'' Bigelow's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus blitoides]]'' mat amaranth, prostrate amaranth, prostrate pigweed
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus blitum]]'' purple amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus brownii]]'' Brown's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus californicus]]'' California amaranth, California pigweed
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus cannabinus]]'' tidal-marsh amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus caudatus]]'' love-lies-bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, quilete
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus chihuahuensis]]'' chihuahuan amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus chlorostachys]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus crassipes]]'' spreading amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus crispus]]'' crispleaf amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus cruentus]]'' purple amaranth, red amaranth, Mexican grain amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus deflexus]]'' large-fruit amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus dubius]]'' spleen amaranth, khada sag
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus fimbriatus]]'' fringed amaranth, fringed pigweed
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus floridanus]]'' Florida amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus gangeticus]]'' elephant head amaranth
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| − | *'' [[Amaranthus graecizans]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus greggii]]'' Gregg's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus hybridus]]'' smooth amaranth, smooth pigweed, red amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus hypochondriacus]]'' Prince-of-Wales-feather, princess feather
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus leucocarpus]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus lineatus]]'' Australian amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus lividus]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus mantegazzianus]]'' Quinoa de Castilla
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus minimus]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus muricatus]]'' African amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus obcordatus]]'' Trans-Pecos amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus palmeri]]'' Palmer's amaranth, palmer pigweed, careless weed
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus paniculus]]'' Reuzen amarant
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus polygonoides]]'' tropical amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus powelii]]'' green amaranth, Powell amaranth, Powell pigweed
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus pringlei]]'' Pringle's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus pumilus]]'' seaside amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus quitensis]]'' ataco, sangorache
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus retroflexus]]'' red-root amaranth, redroot pigweed, common amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus rudis]]'' tall amaranth, common waterhemp
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus scleropoides]]'' bone-bract amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus spinosus]]'' spiny amaranth, prickly amaranth, thorny amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus standleyanus]]''
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus thunbergii]]'' Thunberg's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus torreyi]]'' Torrey's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus tricolor]]'' Joseph's-coat
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus tuberculatus]]'' rough-fruit amaranth, tall waterhemp
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus viridis]]'' slender amaranth, green amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus watsonii]]'' Watson's amaranth
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| − | * ''[[Amaranthus wrightii]]'' Wright's amaranth
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| − | }}
| + | <!--T:6--> |
| | + | {{ |
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| − | '''''Amaranthus''''', collectively known as '''amaranth''' or '''pigweed''', is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are presently recognised, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus ''[[Celosia]]''.
| + | <!--T:7--> |
| | + | EWP |
| | + | | name = Amaranth |
| | + | | image = Amaranthus tricolor0.jpg |
| | + | | description = Amaranth, is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants. Catkin-like cymes of densely packed flowers grow in summer or autumn. Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to green or gold. |
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| − | Although several species are often considered [[weed]]s, people around the world value amaranths as [[leaf vegetable]]s, [[cereal]]s and [[ornamental plant|ornamentals]]. | + | <!--T:2--> |
| | + | Although several species are often considered weeds, people around the world value amaranths as leaf vegetables and cereals. |
| | + | | range = Worldwide in temperate and tropical zones |
| | + | | seasons = Summer, Fall |
| | + | | use = Amaranth species are cultivated and consumed as a leaf vegetable in many parts of the world. The seeds can be collected and used as a grain (or ground into flour). |
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| − | The word comes from the [[Greek_language|Greek]] [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%234949 ''amarantos''], the "one that does not wither", or the never-fading (flower).
| + | <!--T:3--> |
| | + | To maximize seed harvest, shake the near-mature seed heads into a paper bag or onto a canvas. If the growing area is large, it is faster to cut the heads all at once when most of the seeds are ripe. The fully ripened heads tend to drop their seeds. |
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| − | ==Uses==
| + | <!--T:4--> |
| | + | Dry for a week and thresh the heads with gloved hands or feet on canvas as the chaff is somewhat prickly. The seeds may be lost when winnowing because the chaff and seeds are of similar size and the seeds are of a light weight. If you heap uncleaned seeds in a bowl and toss them, the light debris will concentrate on the top and can be blown away. Repeat this until only seeds remain. |
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| − | ===Grain amaranth===
| + | <!--T:5--> |
| − | | + | }} |
| − | 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 Native America 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 "happiness" in Spanish).
| + | <noinclude></translate></noinclude> |
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| − | 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 [[Roman Catholic]] priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.
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| − | 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 [[Amaranth grain|grain amaranth]] (especially ''A. cruentus'' and ''A. hypochondriacus'') was revived in the [[1970s]]. It was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties and is now commercially cultivated. It is a popular snack sold in [[Mexico City]] and other parts of Mexico, sometimes mixed with [[chocolate]] or [[puffed grain|puffed rice]], and its use has spread to [[Europe]] and other parts of [[North America]]. Amaranth and [[quinoa]] are called pseudograins because of their flavor and cooking similarities to grains. These are dicot plant seeds, and both contain exceptionally [[complete protein]] for plant sources. Besides [[protein]], [[amaranth grain]] provides a good source of [[dietary fiber]] and [[dietary mineral]]s such as [[iron]], [[magnesium]], [[phosphorus]], [[copper]], and especially [[manganese]].
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| − | | |
| − | ===Vegetables===
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| − | Amaranth species are cultivated and consumed as a leaf vegetable in many parts of the world. In [[Indonesia]] and [[Malaysia]], leaf amaranth is called ''bayam'',while the [[Tagalogs]] in the [[Philippines]],call the plant ''kulitis''. In [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]] this leaf is added in preparation of a popular [[dal]] called ''thotakura pappu''. In [[China]] the leaves and stems are used as a stir-fry vegetable and called ''yin choi'' (苋菜; pinyin: xiàncài; and variations on this transliteration in various dialects).
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| − | In Congo it is known as ''lenga lenga'' or ''biteku teku''.<ref>{{cite journal
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| − | | author=Enama, M.
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| − | | date=1994
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| − | | title=Culture: The missing nexus in ecological economics perspective
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| − | | journal=Ecological Economics
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| − | | issue=10
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| − | | pages=93-95
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| − | }}</ref>
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| − | The leaves are also used in a [[Caribbean]] soup called [[callaloo]].
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| − | | |
| − | In East Africa Amaranth leaf is known as MCHICHA (Swahili) - a vegetable for all. It is sometimes recommended by some doctors for people having low red blood cell count.
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| − | In West Africa, Nigeria, it is known as EFO TETE (Yoruba)or AROWO JEJA - We have money left over for fish. It is a very common vegetable, and it goes with all Nigerian carbohydrate dishes.
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| − | | |
| − | ===Dyes===
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| − | The flowers of the Hopi Red Dye amaranth were used by the Hopi Indians as the source of a deep red dye. There is also a synthetic dye that has been named "amaranth" for its similarity in color to the natural amaranth pigments known as betalains. This synthetic dye is also known as [[Red No. 2]] in North America and E123 in the [[European Union]].{{fact|information about dye usage and Red No. 2|date=December 2006}}
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| − | | |
| − | ===Ornamentals===
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| − | The genus also contains several well-known ornamental plants, such as ''A. caudatus'' (love-lies-bleeding), a native of [[India]] and a vigorous, hardy annual with dark purplish [[flower]]s crowded in handsome drooping spikes. Another Indian annual, ''A. hypochondriacus'' (prince's feather), has deeply-veined lance-shaped leaves, purple on the under face, and deep crimson flowers densely packed on erect spikes.
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| − | Amaranths are recorded as food plants for some [[Lepidoptera]] species including the [[Nutmeg (moth)|Nutmeg]] and various case-bearers of the genus ''[[Coleophora]]'': ''C. amaranthella'', ''C. enchorda'' (feeds exclusively on ''Amaranthus''), ''C. immortalis'' (feeds exclusively on ''Amaranthus''), ''C. lineapulvella'' and ''C. versurella'' (recorded on ''A. spinosus'').
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| − | ==Nutritional value==
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| − | '''Amaranth greens''', also called '''Chinese spinach''', '''hinn choy''' or '''yin tsoi''' ({{zh-stp|s=苋菜|t=莧菜|p=xiàncài}}), '''callaloo''', '''thotakura''' ([[Telugu language|telugu]]) , '''tampala''', or '''quelite''', are a common leaf vegetable throughout the tropics and in many warm temperate regions. It is very popular in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. 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]]. Because of its valuable nutrition, some farmers grow amaranth today. However their moderately high content of [[oxalic acid]] inhibits the absorption of calcium and zinc, and also means that they should be avoided or eaten in moderation by people with [[kidney]] disorders, [[gout]], or [[rheumatoid arthritis]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Reheating cooked amaranth greens is often discouraged, particularly for consumption by small children, as the [[nitrate]]s in the leaves can be converted to [[nitrite]]s, similarly to [[spinach]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
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| − | Amaranth seeds, like [[buckwheat]] and [[quinoa]], contain protein that is unusually complete for plant sources [http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/0,1523,74,00.html]. Most fruits and vegetables do not contain a complete set of amino acids, and thus different sources of protein must be used.
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| − | Several studies have shown that like oats, amaranth seed or oil may be of benefit for those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; regular consumption reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while improving antioxidant status and some immune parameters.
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| − | [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=15542354 PMID:15542354], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17313043 PMID:17313043], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17207282 PMID:17207282]. While the active ingredient in oats appears to be water soluble fiber, amaranth appears to lower cholesterol via its content of plant stanols and [[squalene]].
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| − | ==Amaranth as a weed==
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| − | Not all amaranth plants are cultivated. Some appear as [[weed]]s. A new strain of the Palmer amaranth has appeared which is [[glyphosate]]-resistant and as a result cannot be killed by the widely used [[Roundup]] herbicide. Also, this hardy plant can survive in tough conditions. This could be of particular concern to [[cotton]] farmers using [[Roundup Ready]] cotton.[http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/cotton060404.cfm]
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| − | Anecdotal reports indicate that some people are very allergic to amaranth.
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| − | ==Myth, legend and poetry==
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| − | '''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.
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| − | [[Aesop's Fables]] (6th century BC) compares the Rose to the Amaranth to illustrate the difference in fleeting and everlasting beauty.
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | :A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden,
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| − | :and the Amaranth said to her neighbour,
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| − | :"How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent!
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| − | :No wonder you are such a universal favourite."
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| − | :But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice,
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| − | :"Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time:
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| − | :my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die.
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| − | :But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut;
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| − | :for they are everlasting."
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | Thus, in [[John Milton|John Milton's]] [[Paradise Lost]] (1667), iii. 353:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | :"Immortal amarant, a flower which once
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| − | :In paradise, fast by the tree of life,
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| − | :Began to bloom; but soon for man's offence
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| − | :To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows,
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| − | :And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life,
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| − | :And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven
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| − | :Rolls o'er elysian flowers her amber stream:
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| − | :With these that never fade the spirits elect
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| − | :Bind their resplendent locks."
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]], in [[Work without Hope]] (1825), also references the herb, likely referencing Milton's earlier work. (ll 7-10 excerpted):
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | :Yet well I ken the banks where Amaranths blow,
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| − | :Have traced the fount whence streams of nectar flow.
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| − | :Bloom, O ye Amaranths! bloom for whom ye may,
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| − | :For me ye bloom not! Glide, rich streams, away!
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | The original spelling is ''amarant''; the more common spelling ''amaranth'' seems to have come from a [[folk etymology]] assuming that the final syllable derives from the Greek word ''anthos'' ("flower"), common in botanical names.
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| − | In ancient [[Greece]] the amaranth (also called [[chrysanthemum|chrusanthemon]] and [[helichrysum|elichrusos]]) was sacred to Ephesian [[Artemis]]. It was supposed to have special healing properties, and as a symbol of
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| − | 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). It was also widely used by the Chinese for its healing chemicals, curing illnesses such as infections, rashes, and migraines. The ''"Amarantos"'' is the name a several-century-old popular Greek folk song:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | :Look at the amaranth:
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| − | :on tall mountains it grows,
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| − | :on the very stones and rocks
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| − | :and places inaccessible.
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| − | </blockquote> | |
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| − | More recently, a song by the symphonic metal band [[Nightwish]] entitled "Amaranth" will be released on their 2007 album ''Dark Passion Play''. In the lyrics, "amaranth" stands for perfection, everlasting beauty and goodness:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | :Caress the one, the Never-Fading
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| − | :Rain in your heart - the tears of snow-white sorrow
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| − | :Caress the one, the hiding amaranth
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| − | :In a land of the daybreak
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| − | </blockquote> | |
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | | |
| − | *[[amaranth (color)]]
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| − | <!--When adding new trivia about amaranth in contemporary culture, please add it under the Amaranth in Human Culture section of the Amaranth (color) article.-->
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| − | ==Images==
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Image:Amaranthus caudatus1.jpg|Loves-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)
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| − | Image:Amaranthus.hybridus1web.jpg|Green Amaranth (''A. hybridus'')
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| − | Image:Seabeach Amaranth.jpg|Seabeach amaranth (''A. pumilus''), an amaranth on the Federal [[Threatened species]] List
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| − | Image:Illustration Amaranthus retroflexus0.jpg|Red-root Amaranth (''A. retroflexus'') - from Thomé, ''Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz'' 1885
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| − | Image:Amaranthus.spinosus1web.jpg|Spiny Amaranth (''Amaranthus spinosus'')
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| − | Image:Amaranthus.viridis1web.jpg|Green Amaranth (''Amaranthus viridis'')
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| − | Image:Amaranth_sp_2.jpg| Popping Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)
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| − | </gallery> | |
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==Sources==
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| − | *Lenz, ''Botanik der alt. Greich. und Rom.'' Botany of old. (1859)
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| − | *J. Murr, ''Die Pflanzenwelt in der griech. Mythol.'' Plants in Greek Mythology. (1890)
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | {{Commonscat|Amaranthus}}
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| − | *[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_hybridus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus hybridus]
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| − | *[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/amaranthus_spinosus_thumbnails.htm Amaranthus spinosus]
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| − | *[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/600max/html/starr_010520_0109_amaranthus_viridis.htm Amaranthus viridis]
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| − | {{unimelb|Amaranthus.html}}
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| − | *[http://flora.huh.harvard.edu:8080/flora/browse.do?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101257 Flora online : Flora of North America]
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| − | *[http://amaranth.twoday.net/topics/Amaranthus+Info/ Amaranthus Info]
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| − | *[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/amaranth.html Alternate Field Crops Manual]
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| − | *[http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20b9.html Nutrition facts]
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| − | *[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16009655&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum Dye Studies]
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| − | *[http://www.puentemexico.org Organization Promoting Amaranth in Mexico]
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| − | {{Cereals}}
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| − | [[Category:Amaranthus| ]]
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| − | [[Category:Grains]]
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| − | [[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
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| − | [[Category:Tropical agriculture]]
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| − | [[Category:Underutilized crops]]
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| − | [[ca:Amarant]]
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| − | [[cs:Laskavec]]
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| − | [[de:Amarant (Pflanzengattung)]]
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| − | [[es:Amaranthus]]
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| − | [[eo:Amaranto nutraĵa]]
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| − | [[fr:Amarante (plante)]]
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| − | [[id:Bayam]]
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| − | [[it:Amaranto (alimento)]]
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| − | [[ja:ハゲイトウ]]
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| − | [[lt:Burnotis]]
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| − | [[ln:Bítɛkutɛku]]
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| − | [[ms:Pokok Bayam]]
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| − | [[nah:Huauhtli]]
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| − | [[nl:Amarant (geslacht)]]
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| − | [[pl:Szarłat]]
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| − | [[pt:Amaranto]]
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| − | [[fi:Amarantit]]
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| − | [[sv:Amaranter]]
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| − | [[zh:莧菜]]
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