2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Amaranth (lat. Amaranthus) - a genus of herbaceous plants, numbering several dozen species of different profiles. Among them are cereals, vegetable plants, ornamental specimens, as well as weeds. The unpretentiousness of plants of the Amaranth genus, combined with amazing decorativeness, makes it all the more attractive to gardeners. And its grain varieties are recognized as a panacea capable of feeding Mankind to their fill.
What's in your name
Historically, the names of many plants are based on the Greek language. So it happened with Amaranth, born in South America, in the name of which took part as many as three Greek words, giving a promising name in translation - "unfading flower". And although there is nothing eternal in the world, the long life of the Amaranth flower, which, even when plucked and dried, does not lose its decorative effect, somewhat justifies the name of the plant.
Along with the official Latin name, the plant has overgrown with numerous folk names, among which you can most often hear the word "shiritsa". For long bright inflorescences, Amaranth, like the Akalifa plant from the Euphorbia family with similar inflorescences, is fond of being called tails of different animals, for example, "fox's tail" or "cat's tail".
Description
Although in nature Amaranth is a perennial plant, in culture it is more often grown as annuals.
Powerful roots show the world huge branchy bushes with a wide variety of leaves in different plant species. They can differ in shape and color, but at the same time remain simple whole leaves with petioles and a sharp nose.
The flowers are located in the axils of the leaves in the form of bunches, and also form apical spike-shaped tailed inflorescences. Among the numerous plant species, there are monoecious and more evolutionarily advanced - dioecious flowers.
The fruit of the plant is a box with seeds-grains, which are edible in some species and were used in food by the legendary American Indians before the arrival of the European conquerors.
Varieties
Although by the end of the 20th century, some enthusiasts proclaimed Amaranth as a panacea for hunger, the farms did not rush to grow together the grain crop revived from oblivion. But gardeners showed more interest in the plant. Today, Amaranth can be found at almost every summer resident. Therefore, we will get acquainted with several decorative types of Amaranth.
* Amaranth paniculata (Latin Amaranthus paniculatus) - a two-meter handsome man with large smooth green leaves and chestnut-red small flowers that form erect inflorescences.
* Amaranth tricolor (Latin Amaranthus tricolor) - inferior in growth to the previous species, growing in height up to 1 meter. It is interesting not for its inflorescences, but for its variegated delightful leaves, which manage to combine three different colors at once on the surface of one leaf, for example, green, yellow and red.
* Tailed amaranth (lat. Amaranthus caudatus) - it is for this type that the plant is called "fox tail". After all, its apical purple-red inflorescences about a meter long gracefully bend under the weight of numerous small flowers, waving in time with the wind like tails.
Growing
Amaranth tolerates heat well and likes to grow in a sunny place.
Prefers fertile soils (except for the unpretentious Amaranth tailed), loose, moist. Requires regular watering, but water stagnation should not be created, which provokes rotting of the plant roots.
For the brightness of the leaves and inflorescences, mineral dressings are desirable.
The appearance is supported by the removal of wilting inflorescences and leaves that are losing their color.
Amaranth can be affected by omnivorous aphids.
Reproduction
Amaranth reproduces by self-seeding in areas with a mild climate. Where there are late frosts, growers grow the plant through seedlings, sowing seeds in early spring.
You can sow seeds directly into open ground with the arrival of heat in May, but then flowering will be by the end of summer.
Recommended:
Amaranth Dark
Dark amaranth (Latin Amaranthus hypochondriacus) - a rather bright and attractive representative of the Amaranth genus, belonging to the large Amaranth family. In nature, it is found in the same regions as its close relative Amaranth paniculata, or crimson, to be more precise in the western and eastern regions of Asia.
Amaranth Brown
Amaranth Brown (lat.Amaranthus brownii) - a rare representative of the Amaranth genus of the Amaranth family. It is endemic because it grows in a limited area, in particular in Hawaii. The number of plants is limited, today the species is recognized as endangered.
Amaranth Tailed
Tailed amaranth (lat.Amaranthus caudatus) - a native of the tropics; attractive decorative culture, belonging to the genus Amaranth of the Amaranth family. South America and Africa are considered the birthplace of this amazing plant. However, in the wild, the plant is found everywhere, including Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, etc.
Amaranth Thrown Back
Amaranth thrown back (Latin Amaranthus retroflexus) - an annual representative of the Amaranth genus of the Amaranth family. Other names for the plant are beetroot or thrown back. Not used in culture. It is a weed. It grows everywhere. Most often found in potato and beet fields, as well as in wastelands.
Amaranth Tricolor
Amaranth tricolor (Latin Amaranthus tricolor) - another bright representative of the Amaranth genus of the Amaranth family. In nature, it grows in the southern part of Asia and the islands located between Australia and Asia (including the Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka and the Himalayas).
