Synonym is Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott
Common names are Cock's Comb (Eng.); Quail Grass (Benin); Sokoyokoto, Green or White Soko (Nig.); Crete de Coq (Fr); Mirabel (Sp.).
Local forms have been selected for specific areas.
Center of origin and distribution is India.
Cultivated forms of the various species are grown in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, South Pacific, tropical Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America and in the tropics generally.
Usually short-lived annuals, up to 1 m in height. Stems: erect, often thick and fleshy, sometimes grooved. Leaves: variable in shape, green or purple, normally alternate, petiolate and entire, tips often obtuse. Inflorescence: racemose spikes, either axillary or terminal. Flowers: small, numerous, regular and unisexual; petals 4-5; stamens 1-5, opposite petals; ovary superior; carpels 2-3. Seeds: small, testa shiny, black or brown; approximately 1200-3000 seeds/g. Numerous species and hybrids between both species and varieties exist, some of which have been designated as species or subspecies. Some species are: (1)Amaranthus caudatus L. (Quinoa, Inca Wheat, Quihuicha). Inflorescence long and pendant. Grown' as a grain crop in Peru, Bolivia and north-east Argentina; also in India and high rainfall areas in West Africa. Tolerant to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions; (2)Amaranthus cruentus L. (syn. Amaranthus hybridus subsp. cruentus, A. leuco- carpus S. Wats.). Inflorescence lax. Grown in Guatemala and other Central American countries as a grain crop. Widely distributed in tropical Africa. This species may be conspecific with Amaranthus paniculatus L. which is a grain crop of South-east Asia;(3) Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.Mainly grown in Asia, less widely in tropical America and Africa; (4) Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. (syn. A. leucocarpus S. Wats.) An important grain amaranth, cultivated in Mexico and Guatamala. The seeds are roasted and pounded into a flour; (5) Amaranthus lividus L. var. oleraceus (L.) Thellung. Widely grown in China, probably originating from India; (6) Amaranthus tricolor L. (syn. A. oleraceus L., A. blitum S. Wats., A. gangeticus L.) Chinese Spinach; Tampala. A native of tropical Asia, also grown in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, and the West Indies. In the Philippines, this species is known as Kulitis. Plants are spineless, reaching a height of 30-60 cm at maturity. The leaves are 4-10 cm in length; flowers green-white, about 1 mm in length. The taxonomy of the Amaranthaceae has been somewhat confused, partly due to the fact that hybrids between species have been frequently reported. Identification based on chromosome numbers has proved difficult, due to their small size. A discussion on Amaranthus taxonomy is given by Grubben (1976), based on the conclusions reached by many taxonomists.
Soils with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves are required for optimum yields although some species are tolerant to fairly wide ranges of soil condition. The optimum pH range is 5.5-7.5, but some cultivars will tolerate more alkaline conditions. Most species and cultivars have a high rate of nitrogen absorption and surface dressings of nitrogenous fertilizers are normally required during the period of active growth. In many areas, additional applications of potassium may also be necessary. Most species are tolerant of relatively high temperatures and generally thrive within a temperature range of 22-30C. Amaranthus is grown during both wet and dry seasons, though irrigation is normally required for dry season crops since the rate of transpiration by the leaves is fairly high. Frequent applications of water are required, related to the stage of growth of the crop and the moisture-retaining capacity of the soil. Lowland areas, up to 800 m, are most suitable for cultivation. Although most species and cultivars are adapted to short daylength conditions, they do not appear to be unduly sensitive to photoperiodic fluctuations.
Corms or offsetts are usually planted in prepared planting holes or pits and plants are spaced at 1-1.5 m X 1-1.5 m apart. Weeds should be controlled but little routine cultivation appears necessary.
Most species and cultivars of Amaranthus grow rapidly and may be harvested 30-50 days from sowing when they are 15-20 cm high. Either the whole plant may be uprooted, or established plants may be cut back to within 15 cm of the base to encourage lateral growths which will provide successive harvests. Yield: Entire plant harvested : 20-25 t/ha; shoots only (successional harvesting): 30-60 t/ha. Seed production: Cross-pollination by wind-borne pollen is normal although some selfing often occurs. Plants for seed production are planted at 40 cm X 70 cm spacing may be headed back after about 4 weeks to stimulate lateral branching. Seeds mature 3-5 months from planting. Seed yield is approximately 200 kg/ha (A. tricolor).
Any roots are trimmed and the plants may be washed before being tied into bundles. Where available, crushed ice may be scattered over the top layers of the basket or container to prevent wilting. Care should be taken to avoid overpacking of the container.
The nutritional content of the leaves of various species of Amaranthus varies but, in general, the leaves of plants of most species contain a high level of vitamin A, calcium and potassium. The seeds of Amaranthus species are used as a food in some tropical areas and a protein content of up to 15% has been reported. High contents of lysine (6.2% of the total protein) and methionine (2.3%) have been recorded.
Common names are Cock's Comb (Eng.); Quail Grass (Benin); Sokoyokoto, Green or White Soko (Nig.); Crete de Coq (Fr); Mirabel (Sp.).
Local forms have been selected for specific areas.
Center of origin and distribution is India.
Cultivated forms of the various species are grown in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, South Pacific, tropical Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America and in the tropics generally.
Usually short-lived annuals, up to 1 m in height. Stems: erect, often thick and fleshy, sometimes grooved. Leaves: variable in shape, green or purple, normally alternate, petiolate and entire, tips often obtuse. Inflorescence: racemose spikes, either axillary or terminal. Flowers: small, numerous, regular and unisexual; petals 4-5; stamens 1-5, opposite petals; ovary superior; carpels 2-3. Seeds: small, testa shiny, black or brown; approximately 1200-3000 seeds/g. Numerous species and hybrids between both species and varieties exist, some of which have been designated as species or subspecies. Some species are: (1)Amaranthus caudatus L. (Quinoa, Inca Wheat, Quihuicha). Inflorescence long and pendant. Grown' as a grain crop in Peru, Bolivia and north-east Argentina; also in India and high rainfall areas in West Africa. Tolerant to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions; (2)Amaranthus cruentus L. (syn. Amaranthus hybridus subsp. cruentus, A. leuco- carpus S. Wats.). Inflorescence lax. Grown in Guatemala and other Central American countries as a grain crop. Widely distributed in tropical Africa. This species may be conspecific with Amaranthus paniculatus L. which is a grain crop of South-east Asia;(3) Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.Mainly grown in Asia, less widely in tropical America and Africa; (4) Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. (syn. A. leucocarpus S. Wats.) An important grain amaranth, cultivated in Mexico and Guatamala. The seeds are roasted and pounded into a flour; (5) Amaranthus lividus L. var. oleraceus (L.) Thellung. Widely grown in China, probably originating from India; (6) Amaranthus tricolor L. (syn. A. oleraceus L., A. blitum S. Wats., A. gangeticus L.) Chinese Spinach; Tampala. A native of tropical Asia, also grown in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, and the West Indies. In the Philippines, this species is known as Kulitis. Plants are spineless, reaching a height of 30-60 cm at maturity. The leaves are 4-10 cm in length; flowers green-white, about 1 mm in length. The taxonomy of the Amaranthaceae has been somewhat confused, partly due to the fact that hybrids between species have been frequently reported. Identification based on chromosome numbers has proved difficult, due to their small size. A discussion on Amaranthus taxonomy is given by Grubben (1976), based on the conclusions reached by many taxonomists.
Soils with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves are required for optimum yields although some species are tolerant to fairly wide ranges of soil condition. The optimum pH range is 5.5-7.5, but some cultivars will tolerate more alkaline conditions. Most species and cultivars have a high rate of nitrogen absorption and surface dressings of nitrogenous fertilizers are normally required during the period of active growth. In many areas, additional applications of potassium may also be necessary. Most species are tolerant of relatively high temperatures and generally thrive within a temperature range of 22-30C. Amaranthus is grown during both wet and dry seasons, though irrigation is normally required for dry season crops since the rate of transpiration by the leaves is fairly high. Frequent applications of water are required, related to the stage of growth of the crop and the moisture-retaining capacity of the soil. Lowland areas, up to 800 m, are most suitable for cultivation. Although most species and cultivars are adapted to short daylength conditions, they do not appear to be unduly sensitive to photoperiodic fluctuations.
Corms or offsetts are usually planted in prepared planting holes or pits and plants are spaced at 1-1.5 m X 1-1.5 m apart. Weeds should be controlled but little routine cultivation appears necessary.
Most species and cultivars of Amaranthus grow rapidly and may be harvested 30-50 days from sowing when they are 15-20 cm high. Either the whole plant may be uprooted, or established plants may be cut back to within 15 cm of the base to encourage lateral growths which will provide successive harvests. Yield: Entire plant harvested : 20-25 t/ha; shoots only (successional harvesting): 30-60 t/ha. Seed production: Cross-pollination by wind-borne pollen is normal although some selfing often occurs. Plants for seed production are planted at 40 cm X 70 cm spacing may be headed back after about 4 weeks to stimulate lateral branching. Seeds mature 3-5 months from planting. Seed yield is approximately 200 kg/ha (A. tricolor).
Any roots are trimmed and the plants may be washed before being tied into bundles. Where available, crushed ice may be scattered over the top layers of the basket or container to prevent wilting. Care should be taken to avoid overpacking of the container.
The nutritional content of the leaves of various species of Amaranthus varies but, in general, the leaves of plants of most species contain a high level of vitamin A, calcium and potassium. The seeds of Amaranthus species are used as a food in some tropical areas and a protein content of up to 15% has been reported. High contents of lysine (6.2% of the total protein) and methionine (2.3%) have been recorded.
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