Description
Green Amaranth (scientific name: Amaranthus hybridus L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae and the genus Amaranthus, with a height of up to 50 cm; the stem is erect, the leaves are oval or diamond-ovate, the base is wedge-shaped, the upper surface is nearly glabrous, and the lower surface is sparse Pilose; petiole pilose. The inflorescence is terminal, slender, formed by spikes, with the longest middle flower spike; bracts and bracteoles are diamond-lanceolate, the midrib is hard and green, the perianth is rectangular-lanceolate, and the midrib is green; Utricle is ovoid, ring-shaped transversely lobed, seeds are nearly spherical, flowering from July to August, and fruiting from September to October.
Distributed in southern Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Guizhou. It is also distributed in Europe, North America, and South America. Born in fields, open fields or hillsides.
Green amaranth is often used as a medicinal, food, and forage crop, and is widely cultivated and used in China. Green Amaranth is rich in nutritional value and meets the human protein edible standards recommended by FAO/WHO. It is one of the ideal food materials for mankind.
