Amaranthus blitum, commonly called purple amaranth or Guernsey pigweed, is an annual plant species in the economically important plant family Amaranthaceae. It has a number of culinary uses.
Description
Amaranthus blitum is an erect or semi-prostrate annual plant. The single or branched stem can grow to tall. The green or purplish leaves are up to long on stalks of a similar length and are arranged spirally. They are simple, roughly triangular in shape and have entire margins.
Distribution and habitat
Native to the Mediterranean region, it is naturalized in other parts of the world, including much of eastern North America, In Britain it was first recorded in the wild in 1771 when it appeared in Essex. It occurred more frequently in scattered locations in southern England in the 19th century but has since decreased. It is established in Guernsey and elsewhere as a casual plant, springing up on waste ground, rubbish tips and cultivated areas, probably from wool waste, coconut fibre or birdseed. The Greeks refer to A. blitum var. silvestre as (Modern Greek: ) and eat the leaves and the cooked tender shoots, served with olive oil, lemon and salt. In Lebanon (especially to the north) a side dish is made from the young shoots; they are cooked in olive oil, onion, chilli, and burghul, seasoned with salt and lemon, and eaten with pita.
References
External links
- PROTAbase on Amaranthus blitum