binomial name: Amaranthus viridus
common name : Green Amaranth
The give away is the distinctive seed spikes holding a multitude of seeds
ready to be dispersed. The leaves are a dull green on top and a bit paler
underneath -about 7cm x 9cm in size . The plant grows to about 1m high here.
The leaves and young stems can be used as a potherb in place of silverbeet
or spinach - indeed it was considered superior to spinach in early colonial days. The seeds are also edible when ripe with a nutty taste.
It is used as a vegetable (potherb) in India, Africa and Greece : in a study of Greek migrants in Melbourne in 2002 it was one of the weeds (along with dandelion, purslane and sowthistle) being added by them to their salads on a regular basis. This group of migrants exhibit less cancer and heart disease than those eating a traditional Australian diet.
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v56/n11/full/1601472a.html
Other nutritional content : betacarotene, some minerals such as
Ca, P04, Mg and Mn but it was difficult to get actual figures.
Traditionally in Indian/Nepalese cultures it has been used in relieving the pain of childbirth. A Pubmed search however did not find any supporting scientific studies confirming this. However it really would be of no surprise
as so many of these weed species seem to have such effect.
Here's also an Aeosops fable mentioning Amaranth:
AN AMARANTH planted in a garden near a Rose Tree, thus addressed it: "What a lovely flower is the Rose, a favorite alike with Gods and with men. I envy you your beauty and your perfume." The Rose replied, "I indeed, dear Amaranth, flourish but for a brief season! If no cruel hand pluck me from my stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But thou art immortal and dost never fade, but bloomest for ever in renewed youth."
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