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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Field Notes • Plant

Amaranth

Amaranth is the common name for plants in the genus *Amaranthus*, a group of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Amaranth is the common name for plants in the genus *Amaranthus*. These flowering plants are grown for their edible leaves and seeds.

What it is

Amaranth refers to a genus of about 60–70 species of annual flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae. Species vary widely, ranging from food crops to weeds and ornamentals. The seeds are classified as a pseudocereal because they are used like grain but come from a non-grass plant.

Why it matters

Several amaranth species are cultivated for their nutritious leaves and seeds, which are eaten as leafy vegetables and a pseudocereal. Amaranth was a staple crop in pre-Columbian civilizations like the Aztec and Inca and remains important in tropical and subtropical regions today.

Key details

The genus is distributed nearly worldwide, with many species native to the Americas. Some species are known as pigweed, while others are ornamental. Amaranth is also relevant to Canadian readers as a niche gluten-free grain and garden plant.

In short

  • Genus *Amaranthus* contains 60–70 species.
  • Used as a leafy vegetable and pseudocereal.
  • Distributed worldwide, native to the Americas.
  • Not a true grain; classified as a pseudocereal.
Canadian angle

Amaranth is relevant to Canadian readers as a niche grain, leafy vegetable, and garden plant that is sometimes grown in home gardens and specialty agriculture. It is also of interest in discussions of gluten-free foods and crop diversification.

Quick questions

Is amaranth a true grain?
No. Amaranth seeds are used like grain, but the plant is not in the grass family, so it is classified as a pseudocereal.
How many species of amaranth are there?
Sources give a range of about 60–70 species in the genus *Amaranthus*.
What parts of the plant are eaten?
Both the leaves and the seeds are eaten. The leaves are used as a vegetable, and the seeds are processed and cooked like grain.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth
    Supports: Common-name usage, genus name, and pigweed reference.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/Amaranthus
    Supports: Species count, family, worldwide distribution, and food uses.
  3. Kentucky State University — https://www.kysu.edu/documents/college-of-agriculture-communities-the-sciences/amaranth_faq_012224_accessible.pdf
    Supports: Historical use as food crop, origin in the Americas, and nutritional notes.
  4. Crop Trust — https://www.croptrust.org/knowledge-hub/crops/amaranth/
    Supports: Origin in Central America, pseudocereal status, historical cultivation, and current regions of use.
  5. Frontiers in Plant Science — https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1716624/full
    Supports: Native range in the Americas, species diversity, and uses of seeds and leaves.
  6. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — https://www.extension.iastate.edu/alternativeag/amaranth
    Supports: Species used for grain, weeds, ornamentals, and nutritional value.
  7. USDA Agricultural Research Service — https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/50301000/Reference_Documents/Amaranth.pdf
    Supports: Approximate species count and uses as grain, foliage, and ornamentals.
  8. University of Florida IFAS — https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/amaranth/
    Supports: Leafy vegetable use and common names.