Amaranthus spinosus
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Amaranthus spinosus, commonly known as the spiny amaranth,[1] spiny pigweed, prickly amaranth or thorny amaranth, is a plant that is native to the tropical Americas, but is present on most continents as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". It can be a serious weed of rice cultivation in Asia.[2]
Description
Amaranthus spinosus is a vascular flowering plant in the dicot family Amaranthaceae. As described in the species name, A. spinosus has spikes present on the flowers and spines present at nodes. The flowers are green, lack petals, and have terminal and axillary spikes. Male flowers are terminal while the female flowers are basal. The ovate or rhombic-ovate leaves are alternate with long petioles.[3]
Uses
Dye use
In Khmer language, it is called pti banlar and in Vietnamese Script error: No such module "Lang". and its ash was historically used as a grey cloth dye.
Food use
Like several related species, A. spinosus is a valued food plant in Africa.[4] In Brazil it is known as "caruru de porco", being used pure braised or added to salty porridge preparations, such as angu (pt) and is more common in the interior regions of the country. It is valued also in Thai cuisine, where it is called phak khom (Template:Langx). In Tamil, it is called mullik keerai. It is possible identical to Sanskrit taṇḍulīyaka. It is used as food in the Philippines, where it is called kulitis. The leaves of this plant, known as massaagu in the Maldivian language, have been used in the diet of the Maldives.[5] In Mexico, it is among the species labelled Quelite quintonil in Mexican markets. In Bengali it is called "Katanote (কাটানটে)". In Manipuri, it is called" Chengkrook" and is used as food in stir-fry and in broths mixed with other vegetables. In Mauritius it is called "Brède malbar". The seeds are eaten by many songbirds.[6]
Traditional medicine
In the folk medicine of India, the ash of fruits of Amaranthus spinosus is used for jaundice.[7]Template:Medical citation needed Water extracts from its roots and leaves have been used as a diuretic in Vietnam.[8]Template:Medical citation needed
References
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- ↑ Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
- ↑ Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, Template:ISBN
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