Author: L.
Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1269 (1759)
Year: 1759
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Amaranthus
Vegetable: True
Observations: C. Mexico to Nicaragua
Indian-spinach, scientifically known as Amaranthus cruentus, is a versatile and nutrient-rich plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. First described by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Systema Naturae” in 1759, this species has captured the interest of botanists and agricultural enthusiasts alike for centuries.
Native to a wide range extending from Central Mexico to Nicaragua, Indian-spinach has adapted well to various climates and soils, making it a resilient and widely cultivated species. The regions it inhabits offer a clue to the plant’s hardiness and versatility, thriving under conditions that may challenge less robust crops.
Indian-spinach is celebrated for its vibrant red inflorescences and broad, dark green leaves. These leaves are not just visually appealing but also serve as a significant source of nutrition. Rich in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber, they are an excellent addition to the diet, particularly in regions with limited access to a variety of fresh vegetables.
The plant also holds an important place in traditional medicine and cuisine. Its leaves are often cooked and consumed similarly to spinach and other leafy greens, thus earning its common name. Furthermore, the seeds of Amaranthus cruentus are harvested and ground into flour or used whole, offering a gluten-free alternative packed with protein and essential amino acids.
Beyond its nutritional value, Indian-spinach plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture. Due to its rapid growth cycle and ability to grow in less-than-ideal soil conditions, it is an excellent crop for improving soil health and providing food security in developing regions.
In conclusion, Indian-spinach is a remarkable species that not only bolsters nutrition and health but also supports agricultural sustainability. Its widespread cultivation from Mexico through Central America underscores its importance and adaptability, making it a true cornerstone of food and farming systems in the regions it inhabits.
Eng: african-spinach, blood amaranth, bush greens, caterpillar amaranth, indian-spinach, panicled amaranth, purple amaranth, red amaranth, red shank, sudan-spinach, wild amaranth
Fra: amarante couleur de sang, amarante rouge, amarante, amarante étalée, queue de renard, amarante sanglante, brède de malabar
Ita: amaranto cruento
Deu: ausgebreiteter fuchsschwanz, blutroter amarant, rispen-fuchsschwanz, rispenfuchsschwanz, rispiger amarant, rispiger fuchsschwanz
Spa: bledo crestagallo, moco de pavo, achita, amarant, amaranto, bledo, blet, blet punxent, marxant
Lit: raibasis burnotis
Pol: szarłat prosty
Heb: yarbuz yerok-shibolet, ירבוז ירוק-שיבולת
Por: amaranto, bredo, caruru-vermelho, carurú-roxo, veludo
Swe: blodamarant
Hun: bíbor amaránt, karcsú disznóparéj
Ell: glintos
Ces: laskavec krvavý
Est: pööris-rebashein, verev rebashein
Lav: skarainais amarants
Cym: blodyn amor porffor
En: Indian-spinach, Sudan-spinach, Bush greens, Red shank, Wild amaranth, Panicled amaranth, Caterpillar amaranth, Red amaranth, Purple amaranth, African-spinach, Blood amaranth, Red pigweed, Mexican Grain Amaranth, Amaranth, Prince’s Feather
Ar: قطيفة دموية
Be: Аксамітнік мяцёлчаты
Ca: Marxant vermell
Zh: Lao ya gu, 繁穗苋
Cs: Laskavec krvavý
Nl: Graanamarant
Et: Verev rebashein, Pööris-rebashein
Fi: Purppurarevonhäntä
Fr: Queue de renard, Amarante, Amarante étalée, Amarante sanglante, Amarante Rouge, Amarante couleur de sang, Brède de Malabar, Amarante paniculée, Amarante etalée, Amarante hybride, Amarante hypocondriaque, Amarante queue-de-renard, Blé des Incas, Queue-de-renard
De: Rispenfuchsschwanz, Rispiger Fuchsschwanz, Blutroter Bastard-Amarant, Rispen-Fuchsschwanz, Ausgebreiteter Fuchsschwanz, Blutroter Amarant, Rispiger Amarant, Purpurroter Fuchsschwanz
El: Glintos
He: Yarbuz yerok-shibolet, ירבוז ירוק-שיבולת
Hu: Bíbor amaránt, Karcsú disznóparéj
It: Amaranto cruento, Amaranto paniculato
Ko: 선줄맨드라미
Lv: Skarainais amarants
Lt: Šluotinis burnotis, Raibasis burnotis
Mr: राजगिरा
Pl: Szarłat wyniosły, Szarłat prosty
Pt: Bredo, Amaranto, Bredo-vermelho, Bredos, Carurú-roxo, Caruru-vermelho, Veludo
Es: Achita, Bledo, Alegría, Huautli, Bledo crestagallo, Moco de pavo, Amarant, Amaranto, Blet, Blet punxent, Marxant, Amaranto rojo
Sv: Blodamarant
Tt: Әтәч кикриге
Cy: Blodyn amor porffor
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© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Rapid
Description: Vegetable amaranth is usually grown commercially as a sole crop on beds. It is also found in intercropping systems with food crops and in home gardens. There are 2500–3500 seeds/g. The common cultivation practice is sowing in a nursery at a seed rate of 3–10 g/m2 and transplanting after 2–3 weeks. In this way the grower gets 1000–1500 plantlets per m2 for transplanting. A plant density of up to 180 plants/m2 is often practised for harvesting by uprooting or once-over cutting and gives the highest yield. Higher densities result in self-thinning without yield increase. Field experiments in several countries have shown the advantage of a wider spacing, with about 100 plants/m2, the yield being only slightly lower but the labour requirement for transplanting much lower. During the rainy season very dense planting is applied as a buffer to compensate for heavy plant losses caused by Choanephora stem rot. For repeated cuttings a density of about 20 plants/m2 is appropriate. It is also possible to sow directly, either broadcast or in rows with at least 20 cm between the rows, with a seed rate of 2–5 g/m2. Direct sowing is the common practice in Nigeria, Uganda and in western Kenya. The plants are uprooted after 3–5 weeks. The main advantage is the lower labour costs; however, this method requires more seed, weed competition is more severe and the yield much lower. At harvest, some vigorous plants are left for seed production. For commercial seed production, a distance of 200 m from other Amaranthus cruentus fields is recommended and weedy Amaranthus cruentus or Amaranthus hybridus plants should be removed to avoid outcrossing or mixtures. Grain amaranths are sown directly and thinned to a spacing of not more than 10 plants/m2..
Sowing: Direct seed, thin seedlings to 15cm
Days to harvest: 75
Row spacing: {‘cm’: 20}
Spread: {‘cm’: 90}
Ph maximum: 9.0
Ph minimum: 8.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Soil nutriments: 8
Soil humidity: 3
Family: Myrtaceae Author: (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson Bibliography: Telopea 6: 402 (1995) Year: 1995 Status:…
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