Amaranthus cruentus
Encyclopedia
Amaranthus cruentus is a common flowering plant
species that yields the nutritious staple amaranth grain
. It is one of three Amaranthus species cultivated as a grain source, the other two being Amaranthus hypochondriacus
and Amaranthus caudatus
. In Mexico it is called Huautli and Alegría and in English it has several common names, including blood amaranth, red amaranth, purple amaranth, Prince's Feather and Mexican grain amaranth.
Amaranthus cruentus (Marathi:"राजगिरा" rajgira, "श्रावणी माठ" shravani maath) is a tall annual herb topped with clusters of dark pink flowers. The plant can grow up to 2 m (6 ft) in height, and blooms in summer to fall. It has now naturalized in most states. It is believed to have originated from Amaranthus hybridus
, with which it shares many morphological features. This species was in use as a food source in Central America
as early as 4000 BC
. The plant is usually green in color, but a purple variant was once grown for use in Inca rituals.
In Maharashtra
, it is called as "Shravani Maath" (literally माठ grown in month of Shravan).
, cooked into a porridge
, and made into a confectionery
called alegría. The leaves can be cooked like spinach
, and the seeds can be germinated into nutritious sprouts. While A. cruentus is no longer a staple food
, it is still grown and sold as a health food
.
In Maharashtra
, during month of Shravan, a stir fried vegetable with just grated coconut is served during festivals. The stem is used in curry made up of Vaal Hyacinth bean
It is an important crop for subsistence farmers in Africa.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
species that yields the nutritious staple amaranth grain
Amaranth grain
Amaranth has been cultivated as a grain for 8,000 years. The yield of grain amaranth is comparable to rice or maize. It was a staple food of the Aztecs, and was used as an integral part of Aztec religious ceremonies. The cultivation of amaranth was banned by the conquistadores upon their conquest...
. It is one of three Amaranthus species cultivated as a grain source, the other two being Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Amaranthus hypochondriacus is an ornamental plant commonly known as the Prince-of-Wales-feather or the Prince's feather. It is originally from Mexico where it is endemic where it is called Quelite, Blero. and Quintonil...
and Amaranthus caudatus
Amaranthus caudatus
Amaranthus caudatus is a species of annual flowering plant. It goes by common names such as love-lies-bleeding, love-lies-a'bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth, and quelite...
. In Mexico it is called Huautli and Alegría and in English it has several common names, including blood amaranth, red amaranth, purple amaranth, Prince's Feather and Mexican grain amaranth.
Amaranthus cruentus (Marathi:"राजगिरा" rajgira, "श्रावणी माठ" shravani maath) is a tall annual herb topped with clusters of dark pink flowers. The plant can grow up to 2 m (6 ft) in height, and blooms in summer to fall. It has now naturalized in most states. It is believed to have originated from Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthus hybridus, commonly called Smooth Amaranth, Smooth Pigweed, Red Amaranth, or Slim Amaranth, is a species of annual flowering plant. It is a weedy species found now over much of North America and introduced into Europe and Eurasia.-Description:A. hybridus grows from a short taproot and can...
, with which it shares many morphological features. This species was in use as a food source in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
as early as 4000 BC
4th millennium BC
The 4th millennium BC saw major changes in human culture. It marked the beginning of the Bronze Age and of writing.The city states of Sumer and the kingdom of Egypt were established and grew to prominence. Agriculture spread widely across Eurasia...
. The plant is usually green in color, but a purple variant was once grown for use in Inca rituals.
In Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, it is called as "Shravani Maath" (literally माठ grown in month of Shravan).
Uses
The seeds are eaten as a cereal grain. They are black in the wild plant, and white in the domesticated form. They are ground into flour, popped like popcornPopcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
, cooked into a porridge
Porridge
Porridge is a dish made by boiling oats or other cereal meals in water, milk, or both. It is usually served hot in a bowl or dish...
, and made into a confectionery
Confectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
called alegría. The leaves can be cooked like spinach
Spinach
Spinach is an edible flowering plant in the family of Amaranthaceae. It is native to central and southwestern Asia. It is an annual plant , which grows to a height of up to 30 cm. Spinach may survive over winter in temperate regions...
, and the seeds can be germinated into nutritious sprouts. While A. cruentus is no longer a staple food
Staple food
A staple food is one that is eaten regularly and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a diet, and that supplies a high proportion of energy and nutrient needs. Most people live on a diet based on one or more staples...
, it is still grown and sold as a health food
Health food
The term health food is generally used to describe foods that are considered to be beneficial to health, beyond a normal healthy diet required for human nutrition. However, the term is not precisely defined by national regulatory agencies such as the U.S...
.
In Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, during month of Shravan, a stir fried vegetable with just grated coconut is served during festivals. The stem is used in curry made up of Vaal Hyacinth bean
Hyacinth bean
Lablab purpureus Lablab purpureus Lablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab L., Dolichos purpureus L., L. niger Medikus, L. lablab (L.) Lyons, Vigna aristata Piper, and L...
It is an important crop for subsistence farmers in Africa.
External links
- USDA profile Amaranthus cruentus
- Edible plants info page
- Jepson Manual treatment
- Taxonomic, Scientific, and Distribution Information
- Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2005). Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0
- PROTAbase on Amaranthus cruentus