Amaranthus tricolor

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Amaranthus tricolor
Amaranthus tricolor6.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Amaranthus
Species:
A. tricolor
Binomial name
Amaranthus tricolor
Synonyms[2]
List
    • Amaranthus amboinicus Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.
    • Amaranthus bicolor Nocca ex Willd.
    • Amaranthus cuspidatus Vis.
    • Amaranthus dubius Mart. nom. inval.
    • Amaranthus flexuosus Moq.
    • Amaranthus gangeticus L.
    • Amaranthus inamoenus Willd.
    • Amaranthus incomptus Willd.
    • Amaranthus japonicus Houtt. ex Willd.
    • Amaranthus japonicus Houtt. ex Steud.
    • Amaranthus lanceolatus Roxb.
    • Amaranthus lancifolius Roxb.
    • Amaranthus lividus Roxb. nom. illeg.
    • Amaranthus mangostanus Blanco
    • Amaranthus melancholicus L.[1]
    • Amaranthus oleraceus Roxb.
    • Amaranthus polygamus Roxb.
    • Amaranthus rotundifolius Moq.
    • Amaranthus salicifolius H.J.Veitch
    • Amaranthus tristis L.
    • Blitum gangeticum Moench
    • Blitum melancholicum Moench
    • Glomeraria bicolor Cav. ex Moq.
    • Glomeraria tricolor (L.) Cav.

Amaranthus tricolor, known as edible amaranth,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the genus Amaranthus, part of the family Amaranthaceae.

The plant is often cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. It is known as bireum in Korea;[3] tampala, tandaljo, or tandalja bhaji in India;[4] callaloo in the Caribbean; and Joseph's coat in other areas, after the biblical figure Joseph, who is said to have worn a coat of many colors.[citation needed] Although it is native to South and South-East Asia, A. tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world.[citation needed] Cultivars have striking yellow, red, and green foliage.[citation needed]

Amaranthus gangeticus[]

Amaranthus gangeticus is considered a synonym of A. tricolor,[5] but has been recognized as a separate species in the past. A. gangeticus is also known as elephant-head amaranth. It is an annual flowering plant with deep purple flowers. It can grow to 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall. In Bangladesh, it has been used as a leafy vegetable. It may inhibit calcium retention in rice-based diets.[6]

Culinary uses[]

Amaranthus tricolor, illustration from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu (1804)

The leaves and stems may be eaten as a salad vegetable. In Africa, it is usually cooked as a leafy vegetable.[7] It is usually stir fried or steamed as a side dish in both China and Japan.[citation needed]

China[]

In China, it is referred to as xiàncài (simplified Chinese: 苋菜; traditional Chinese: 莧菜) and is often stir-fried with garlic and salt.[citation needed]

Korea[]

In Korea, the plant is referred to as bireum (비름). Small-leaved, reddish-stalked chambireum (참비름, "true bireum") is used as a namul vegetable in Korean cuisine. Considered a san-namul (wild green) that grows abundantly in the countryside, it tends to be foraged rather than planted and harvested.[8] It has an earthy and nutty flavor, and goes well with both gochujang- and soup soy sauce-based seasonings, and bori-bap (barley rice).[8][9]

  • Bireum-namul (seasoned edible amaranth)

  • Amaranth(Edibles) Flower

In culture[]

It appears on the coat of arms of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where it is called "flowers gentle".[citation needed]

References[]

  1. ^ "Amaranthus melancholicus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  2. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  3. ^ a b English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 349. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  4. ^ Michel H. Porcher. "Sorting Amaranthus names".
  5. ^ "Amaranthus gangeticus L." The Plant List. 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  6. ^ Larsen, T.; Thilsted, S. H.; Biswas, S. K.; Tetens, I. (2007). "The leafy vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) is a potent inhibitor of calcium availability and retention in rice-based diets". British Journal of Nutrition. 90 (3): 521–527. doi:10.1079/BJN2003923. PMID 13129457.
  7. ^ Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
  8. ^ a b Bburi Kitchen (20 April 2016). "10 Korean spring greens you should know". Stripes Korea. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  9. ^ 정, 운헌 (6 March 2013). "박정희와 비름나물" [Park Chung-hee and bireumnamul]. Kangwon Dominilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 15 December 2016.

External links[]

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