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Amaranthus tricolor
  • Chinese Spinach

an annual member of the Amaranthus genus in the family Amaranthaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Amaranthus tricolor has 0 edible uses listed
Amaranthus tricolor has 0 material uses listed
Amaranthus tricolor has 0 medicinal uses listed

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 - raw or cooked. Often used at the young seedling stage[1][2][3], they are also cooked as a spinach and have a very mild flavour[4]. An excellent hot weather substitute for spinach[4]. The leaves contain about 3.5% protein, 0.25% fat, 6.6% carbohydrate, 3.1% ash, 24mg iron per 100g, 464mg calcium per 100g, they are rich in vitamin A and have a fair content of vitamins B1 and C[5]. On a zero moisture basis 100g of the leaves contains up to 2441mg calcium, 1008mg phosphorus, 51mg iron, 34mg sodium, 4475mg potassium, 37,623 micrograms beta-carotene equivalent, 0.68mg thiamine, 2.37mg riboflavin, 11.48mg niacin and 730mg ascorbic acid[6].

The crisp interior of large stems makes a tasty vegetable[4]. It can be eaten raw or cooked as an asparagus substitute[1][3].

Seed - cooked[7][8]. Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious. 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]. The seed contains saponins[6]. If this is the case it is probably best to either soak the seed for at least 12 hours and then rinse thoroughly before cooking or to give the seed a long slow cooking in order to destroy the saponins[K].

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[9].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant is astringent[10]. A decoction of the root is used with Cucurbita moschata to control haemorrhage following abortion[6]. A decoction of very old plants is taken internally to improve vision and strengthen the liver.

Unknown part

Astringent

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[11]. A minimum soil temperature of 10°c is required for germination, germination is better at temperatures above 20°c[12]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[11]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Amaranthus tricolor. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[13][12], though it does succeed in heavier soils[12]. Tolerates fairly acid soils[12]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 7.8. This is basically a tropical plant and so requires a hot sheltered position in temperate climates if it is to do well[206, K].

Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. A polymorphic species[14], it is often cultivated for its edible leaves, there are many named varieties[12]. This species is often cultivated in Asia for its edible leaves and seed[2][15]. It is a very ornamental plant and is often grown in the flower garden[13].

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[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Amaranthus tricolor. 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 tricolor.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Amaranthus tricolor
Genus
Amaranthus
Family
Amaranthaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[10][6]
Material uses & Functions
[9]
Botanic
[13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    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.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.45 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Wind, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()
    8. ? 8.08.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
    16. ? Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press ISBN 0-309-04264-X (1990-00-00)

    "image:Amaranthus tricolor4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Amaranthus_tricolor&oldid=75003"
    Facts about "Amaranthus tricolor"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAmaranthaceae +
    Belongs to genusAmaranthus +
    Has binomial nameAmaranthus tricolor +
    Has common nameChinese Spinach +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +, Seed + and Stem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Wind + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageAmaranthus tricolor4.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.45 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +
    Has primary imageAmaranthus tricolor4.jpg +
    Has search nameamaranthus tricolor + and chinese spinach +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAmaranthus tricolor +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Amaranthus tricolor +, Amaranthus tricolor +, Amaranthus tricolor +, Amaranthus tricolor + and Amaranthus tricolor +