Amaranthus caudatus

Garden pigweed ( Amaranthus caudatus)

The Garden pigweed ( Amaranthus caudatus), known in the Andean area under the Quechua word Kiwicha, is a native plant species of the genus in South America amaranth ( Amaranthus ).

Features

The garden Foxtail is an annual plant, the plant height of 30 to 80 (up to 120 rare) achieved centimeters. The inflorescence is terminal and attached to the base. It is usually colored dark purple, but can also have other colors. The inflorescences of the cultivar ' Viridis ' are, for example, at first green, and later color cream. The male flowers are fünfzählig.

The flowering period extends from July to September.

Occurrence

The garden Foxtail is known only from the culture. He probably developed from Amaranthus quitensis, which is spread along river banks in the extra- tropical America. Feral stocks there are in the temperate and cold zone.

Use

The Kiwicha is grown in the Andes and Central America for several thousand years. In pre-colonial times their grains served as an important source of protein. In addition, they were also used as an offering in religious ceremonies, which is why the Spanish colonial authorities suppressed the cultivation. Nevertheless, the culture held regionally until today. In recent years, the cultivation increases again. The plant also has increasing importance in organic farming.

As a cereal Amaranthus caudatus is grown in Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina and in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan. In Europe, the Garden foxtail is scattered used as an ornamental plant in cottage gardens, summer flower beds, summer discounts, as a cut flower and as a dried flower. The type is in Europe at least since 1568 in culture.

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