From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

What is a Giant Amaranth plant? I see them on line but have no idea what they are, do they grow some kind of fruit or veggie or something? I try to google it and come up with quit a few different plants with different type shapes(leaves) and sizes, so there must be different type Amaranth plants I gather?

Thanks,
Brooks

8/24/2007 9:46:34 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Amaranth is a grain crop grown in south america. Its foliage is edible when young often called land spinach. When fully grown the flowers produce a seed that is really tiny but nutritious.

8/24/2007 10:08:36 AM

West Amwell, NJ

The amaranth you are seeing in the pictures I am uploading is Amaranthus Australis. The common name for this plant is Giant Amaranth, or Southern Amaranth, or Southern Water Hemp. It's native to the south eastern part of the United States, as well as Mexico, and South America. Scientific literature says it can grow up to 9 meters tall in the wild. It's a wetland plant, and does best with a lot of water. I'm hoping to save some seed from my plants this year; since I gave them such an early start. If I can collect enough seed, I'll put them in the giant veggie seed exchange. I have my doubts about that, because last year I didn't even get seed heads until the beginning of October.

8/24/2007 4:58:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

?...is giant amaranth the same as what they call broom corn??? Peace, Wayne

8/24/2007 5:05:02 PM

West Amwell, NJ

No, broom corn is not an amaranth.
Broom corn is a type of sorghum and it's origins are from Africa.

Here is a link showing several close ups of what a Giant Amaranth looks like.
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/amaaus.html

8/24/2007 5:09:52 PM

Pataskala,OH

How do you grow a Giant Amaranth? where can you get seeds?

9/3/2007 3:25:53 PM