Amaranth: Difference between revisions
imported>Chris Day No edit summary |
Pat Palmer (talk | contribs) m (Text replacement - "United States" to "United States of America") |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
Amaranths, particularly the [[green amaranth]], were cultivated by natives of the [[Americas]] as an important food plant. Seeds from its head were eaten whole or ground into flour. Amaranth leaves could be eaten raw, boiled, or as an ingredient in soups. | Amaranths, particularly the [[green amaranth]], were cultivated by natives of the [[Americas]] as an important food plant. Seeds from its head were eaten whole or ground into flour. Amaranth leaves could be eaten raw, boiled, or as an ingredient in soups. | ||
Many species of amaranth are still widespread in the Americas. [[Pigweed]]s are all amaranths, as are the famous [[tumbleweed]]s of the western [[United States]]. Amaranth flour is still commercially available. | Many species of amaranth are still widespread in the Americas. [[Pigweed]]s are all amaranths, as are the famous [[tumbleweed]]s of the western [[United States of America]]. Amaranth flour is still commercially available. | ||
In [[Europe]], the amaranth is known as an ornamental family. [[Love-lies-bleeding]] (native to Africa and Java), [[cockscomb]] (African and American tropics), and [[prince's feather]] (India) are some of the better-known varieties. | In [[Europe]], the amaranth is known as an ornamental family. [[Love-lies-bleeding]] (native to Africa and Java), [[cockscomb]] (African and American tropics), and [[prince's feather]] (India) are some of the better-known varieties. | ||
Revision as of 10:53, 2 February 2023
Amaranth is a name given to many different flowering herbs in the family Amaranthaceae. Its name is from Greek for "unwithering", and it was a symbol of immortality to them.
Amaranths, particularly the green amaranth, were cultivated by natives of the Americas as an important food plant. Seeds from its head were eaten whole or ground into flour. Amaranth leaves could be eaten raw, boiled, or as an ingredient in soups.
Many species of amaranth are still widespread in the Americas. Pigweeds are all amaranths, as are the famous tumbleweeds of the western United States of America. Amaranth flour is still commercially available.
In Europe, the amaranth is known as an ornamental family. Love-lies-bleeding (native to Africa and Java), cockscomb (African and American tropics), and prince's feather (India) are some of the better-known varieties.