Amaranthus palmeri Careless weed (Amaranthaceae)

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Amaranthus palmeri
Careless weed
(1 Page of 5)

The Amaranthus palmeri plant species is found in Southwestern N. America It is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Careless weed.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Amaranthus palmeri
Common Name:  Careless weed
Family:  Amaranthaceae
Author:  Wats.

Known 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.

Mature Height:  0.9   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Waste places and fields at low elevations, also in interior valleys and deserts in California[71].

Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked as a spinach[46, 85, 95, 105, 161]. The leaves can also be dried for winter use[257]. Seed - cooked[46, 85, 95, 105, 161]. Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious. It is usually ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours in making porridge, bread etc[257]. The seed can be cooked whole, and becomes very gelatinous like this, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth and thus some of the seed will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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