Amaranth and pigweed are the generic common name used for Amaranthus L. depending on whether a species has a use or is primarily a weed. The edible species used for grain or potherbs are love-lies-bleeding,Amaranthus caudatus L., from South America (and/or India) that is also an ornamental, A. cruentus L. from Central America, A. hypochondriacus L., that was endemic to Mexico (or India considering the conflicting data on the internet sites such as Wikipedia),A. blitumL. from the Mediteranain region, A.dubius Mart. ex Thell. native to the Old World, and the ornamental Joseph's coat, A.tricolor L., that is used in Africa. The more troublesome weedy species areA. albus L., A. blitoidesS. Watson, A. hybridus L., A. palmeriS. Watson, which is the worst including becoming resistant to herbicide, A. powelliiS. Watson, A. retroflexus L., A. spinosus L., A. tuberculatus(Moq.) Sauer, and A. viridis L. that is also used as a potherb until the plant blooms. An additional ornamental species also important for its use as a dye is the Hopi red dye amaranth, A. cruentus x A.powellii, since it is a hybrid. The red color of amaranth comes from a chemical similar to those in beets, Beta L., which is unlike the red color of most other plants. The flowers of amaranth are suitable for dried arrangements due to retaining the color. A couple of cautions should be take if consuming amaranth foliage since is it contains oxalic acid and not served as a leftover due to nitrates converting to nitrites, but both cautions also apply to spinach, Spinaciaoleracea L. Amaranth is also the host plant for certain butterflies and moths.
