Uses
Toxic parts
No members of this genus are known to be poisonous, but when grown on nitrogen-rich soils they are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. This is especially noticeable on land where chemical fertilizers are used. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.
Edible uses
Notes
Leaves - cooked as a spinach
[1][2][3][4][5]. The leaves can also be dried for winter use
[6].
Seed - cooked
[1][2][3][4][5]. Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious. It is usually ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours in making porridge, bread etc
[6]. The seed can be cooked whole, and becomes very gelatinous like this, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth and thus some of the seed will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated[K].
Material uses
Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant
[7].
There are no medicinal uses listed for Amaranthus palmeri.
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow late spring in situ. An earlier sowing can be made in a greenhouse and the plants put out after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good if the soil is warm
[8]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination
[8].
Cuttings of growing plants root easily
[9].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Amaranthus palmeri. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know how well it will grow in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[10]. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well[K].
Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity.
Most if not all members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions
[11].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Amaranthus palmeri. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Amaranthus palmeri.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Amaranthus palmeri
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 2.02.12.2 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.2 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
-
? 4.04.14.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
-
? 5.05.15.2 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
-
? 6.06.16.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
-
? 7.07.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
-
? 8.08.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
-
? Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
-
? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press ISBN 0-309-04264-X (1990-00-00)
-
? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)
"image:Amaranthus palmeri.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.