Palmer Amaranth

Biological Name:

Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer-Amaranth)

Natural Habitat:

Palmer-Amaranth: The natural habitat of Palmer-Amaranth is in open, disturbed areas such as fields, roadsides, and waste places, in the eastern and central regions of North America.

Description:

Palmer amaranth is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Amaranthaceae family which also includes plants such as amaranth and quinoa. Palmer amaranth is an annual or perennial plant that produces small green or red flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas Palmer amaranth is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you eat Palmer amaranth?
A: The leaves, stems and seeds of Palmer amaranth, like those of other amaranths, are edible and highly nutritious. Palmer amaranth was once widely cultivated and eaten by Native Americans across North America, both for its abundant seeds and as a cooked or dried green vegetable.
Source

Q: What are the side effects of amaranth?
A: Side-Effects & Allergies of Amaranth Grain For people with intolerance to lysinuric protein, eating amaranth may cause diarrhoea and stomach pain. Moreover, another side effect of lysine increase body’s calcium absorption, and bring free, damage-causing amount of calcium in the body.
Source

Q: Is amaranth healthier than quinoa?
A: While quinoa has proteins as good as 8 grams per cup, amaranth has 9 grams per cup. Amaranth has double the protein than rice or wheat, Makhija added. Quinoa has 3 grams of iron per cup and amaranth has 5 grams of iron in the same quantity which makes it a richer food, she points out.
Source

Q: What is the best way to eat amaranth?
A: If you’re curious about how to cook amaranth, you’ll be pleased to know that it makes for a delicious hot cereal or polenta! You can also use it to add a lovely texture to baked goods or homemade granola. With an earthy, nutty flavor, amaranth is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in between.
Source

Q: Is amaranth hard to digest?
A: It’s safe to consume amaranth in food amounts, and there are no known side effects. If you notice that amaranth is difficult to digest, try soaking or sprouting it.
Source

Q: What are the benefits of eating amaranth?
A: Amaranth is a nutritious, gluten-free grain that provides plenty of fiber, protein and micronutrients. It has also been associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and increased weight loss.
Source

Q: Is Palmer amaranth the same as pigweed?
A: Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a summer annual broadleaf weed that is native to the southwestern US and Mexico. It is also known as Palmer pigweed.
Source

Q: Why did the Spanish ban amaranth?
A: In the 16th century the Spanish conquistadors banned the plant’s cultivation, fearing that the spiritual connection with it would stymie the establishment of Catholicism on the continent. But the Incas and Mayans continued to grow amaranth.
Source

Q: Is amaranth toxic to humans?
A: Avoid eating too much amaranth from agricultural fields. The leaves (like those of spinach, sorrel and many other greens) also contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock or to humans with kidney issues of eaten in large amounts.
Source

Q: Can you eat all amaranth?
A: All the many members of the genus Amaranthus are edible, although some are better than others. They have been cultivated in all parts of the world and go under many names. Amaranth can be grown both for the leaves or the grains and are still commonly cultivated as a cereal in parts of Central and South America.
Source

Q: Is Palmer amaranth invasive?
A: Palmer amaranth is an invasive weed species we have been hearing a lot about in agriculture over the last 10 years, and it continues to be a threat after its first documented appearance in Illinois in 2012. Native to southwestern US states, palmer amaranth has made its way to 39 of the states.
Source

Q: Why is Palmer amaranth a problem?
A: Palmer amaranth competes aggressively with crops. It has a fast growth rate of 2- 3 inches per day and commonly reaches heights of 6- 8 feet, greatly inhibiting crop growth. Yield losses have been up to 91% in corn and 79% in soybean.
Source

Q: Does amaranth come back every year?
A: They’re easy to cultivate, able to tolerate poor soil and don’t require a lot of watering. Amaranth will also self-sow, bringing more flowers every year.
Source

Q: How do I get rid of Palmer amaranth?
A: Glyphosate – Glyphosate can be used as a spot treatment to control Palmer amaranth. Glyphosate will kill or injury any plants it contacts, thus creating open areas that other weeds will invade.
Source

Q: Is Palmer amaranth toxic?
A: Palmer amaranth can also be toxic to livestock animals due to the presence of nitrates in the leaves. What can you do? As landowners and farmers, be proactive in identifying palmer amaranth on your property to prevent establishment.
Source

Q: Can amaranth be toxic?
A: Avoid eating too much amaranth from agricultural fields. The leaves (like those of spinach, sorrel and many other greens) also contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock or to humans with kidney issues of eaten in large amounts.
Source

Q: Where should I plant amaranth?
A: Amaranth plants grow well in average to rich, well-draining soil with equal amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. Like many vegetable crops, they need at least five hours of sunlight a day to do well. While they grows best in moist but well drained soil, they will tolerate somewhat dry soil too.
Source

Q: Is Palmer amaranth perennial?
A: Like most weeds of our cropping system, Palmer amaranth is an annual that initiates growth each spring from seed present in the seedbank (Figure 4).
Source

Q: Is amaranth an invasive plant?
A: Amaranthus palmeri is an annual herbaceous plant that is spreading rapidly beyond its native range in North America. It is considered the most invasive species of the dioecious amaranths and is ranked as one of the most troublesome weeds of various crops in the United States.
Source

Q: How fast does Palmer amaranth grow?
A: Palmer amaranth has a fast growth rate of approximately 2─3 inches per day and commonly reaches heights of 6─8 feet, greatly inhibiting productive crop growth. Yield losses have been reported up to 91% in corn and 79% in soybeans. The weed can also compete with and decrease other agricultural crop production.
Source

Q: What kills Palmer amaranth?
A: Postemergence herbicides must be applied before Palmer amaranth is 3 inches tall. In Roundup Ready(RR) soybeans, a Group 14 (Flexstar®, Cobra® or Ultra Blazer®) herbicide should be used. Flexstar has been the most consistent of these herbicides for Palmer amaranth control.
Source

About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.