Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.

Plants glabrous or moderately pubescent in distal parts, often becoming glabrescent at maturity. Stems usually erect, green or reddish purple, branched, mainly in inflorescences, to nearly simple proximally, 0.4-2(-2.5) m, coarse. Leaves: petiole of distal leaves equaling or slightly shorter than blade, becoming longer proximally; blade rhombic-ovate to broadly lanceolate 4-12 × 2-7 cm, larger in robust plants, base cuneate to broadly cuneate, narrowly cuneate in distal leaves, margins entire, apex cuneate to obtuse or indistinctly emarginate, mucronulate. Inflorescences predominantly terminal, often with few spikes at distal axils stiff, erect, dark red, purple, or deep beet-red, less commonly yellowish or greenish, leafless at least in distal part, usually robust. Bracts lanceolate to linear-subulate, subspinescent, 3-6(-8) mm, to 2 times as long as tepals, rigid. Pistillate flowers: tepals usually 5, proximal ones lanceolate, distal ones narrowly ovate-elliptic to elliptic, not clawed, unequal to occasionally subequal, 1.3-3(-3.5) mm, apex acute; style branches spreading; stigmas 3. Staminate flowers clustered at tips of inflorescence branches; tepals 3-5; stamens 3-5. Utricles compressed-ovoid to elongate-ovoid, (1.5-)2-3 mm, equaling tepals or nearly so, smooth or lid slightly rugose or minutely verrucose, dehiscence regularly circumscissile. Seeds white, ivory, pinkish white, or black to dark reddish brown, subglobose to lenticular, 1-1.4 mm diam., smooth, shiny.

It will grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate places. Plants do best under high light, warm conditions and dry conditions. It is best with a temperature above 25°C. They need a well drained soil. It tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 7.5. It is grown especially in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

The seeds are eaten cooked. They are made into tortillas and chapaties. The leaves are eaten cooked. The seeds can be sprouted and the sprouts eaten. The red pigment is used to colour foods.

Plants can be grown from seed if the soil is warm. Seeds are small and grow easily. Seeds germinate 3-4 days after sowing. Cuttings of growing plants root easily.