Amaranth, Spike (Amaranthus caudatus), potted plant, Organic

Family:  Amaranth (Amaranthacea)

Annual.  50 days to maturity

(Spike Amaranth, Elephant Head Amaranth)  Annual.  50 days.  Plant looks like a fist with one upraised finger, a sort of botanical one-fingered salute of crimson flowers.  This is a black-seeded amaranth.  The red color is due to the content of betacyanins, and the leaves are an edible and tasty potherb when picked young.  This is a vegetable amaranth, not a grain amaranth–grain amaranths like our orange or golden amaranth have blonde seeds.  Plant prefers full sun and regular garden soil.  Space plants 2 feet  apart.

potted plant, Certified Organically Grown