The genus is native to Mexico and Central America. In pre-Hispanic times, amaranth was cultivated by the Aztec and their tributary communities in a quantity very similar to maize. Known to the Aztecs as huāuhtli, amaranth is thought to have represented up to 80% of their energy consumption before the Spanish conquest.
Palmer amaranth is a native weed species that originated in the Southwest, but over time, has migrated across the United States and now can be found in most Corn Belt states (Figure 1). It is a very invasive species as it produces hundreds of thousands of seeds per plant that are easily spread by wind, water equipment, and animals.
Where is palmer amaranth from?
Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is an annual plant in the pigweed family (Amaranthaceae). It is native to the southwest United States/northern Mexico deserts and is currently increasing its range across the country.
Amaranthus palmeri is a species of edible flowering plant in the amaranth genus. It has several common names, including carelessweed, dioecious amaranth, Palmer’s amaranth, Palmer amaranth, and Palmer’s pigweed. It is native to most of the southern half of North America. Populations in the eastern United States are probably naturalized.
Is Palmer amaranth an invasive species?
, and ag., and purdue. Edu/btny/weedscience Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is an aggressive, invasive weed native to the desert regions of the southwest United States and northern Mexico.
When does Palmer amaranth emerge?
During the 2013 Indiana growing season, researchers observed Palmer amaranth emergence from early May until mid-September. This emergence period forces producers to manage the weed throughout the year, unlike other summer annual weeds that are typi- cally managed only through early summer.
Where do amaranth seeds come from?
Archeological evidence of seeds from A. Hypochondriacus and A. Crutenus found in a cave in Tehuacán, Mexico, suggests amaranth was part of Aztec civilization in the 1400s. Ancient amaranth grains still used include the three species, Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus.
What are the different types of amaranth grains?
Ancient amaranth grains still used include the three species, Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus. Although amaranth was cultivated on a large scale in ancient Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru, nowadays it is only cultivated on a small scale there, along with India, China, Nepal,.
Is amaranth a weed?
Amaranthus retroflexus, “pigweed,” is a wild amaranth species native to the United States and is considered a weed in the Northeast, Nebraska and Great Plains, South, and West. The name derives from the plant’s tendency to sprout where hogs are pasture-fed. Although both its leaves and its seeds are edible, .
While we were reading we ran into the question “Is amaranth a pseudocereal?”.
Amaranth is considered a ” pseudocereal “ rather than an actual grain since it’s technically a seed. Other examples of pseudocereals are buckwheat and quinoa; both amaranth and quinoa are from the family Amaranthaceae. Like other cereal grains and pseudocereals, amaranth can be prepared in its whole seed form or ground into flour.