Amaranthaceae FAMILY
Amaranthus polystachyus
Amaranthus polystachyus
Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
0/5
Safety & Hazards
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.
Botanical Description
Amaranthus polystachyus is an annual plant. The edible leaves and seeds are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally.
Habitat & Origin
Origintemperate; tropical
Native RangeTropics
HabitatNot known