Amaranthus spinosus - Prickly Amaranth

Amaranthus spinosus is much-branched annual plant. It grows up to 100cm tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of food and medicines. The leaves are sometimes sold as a vegetable in local markets.

Uses

Internal bleeding, Diarrhoea, Excessive menstruation, Snake bites, Ulcerated mouths, Vaginal discharges, Nosebleeds, Wounds, Eczema, Boils, Burns.

Parts Used

Stem, Leaves, Seeds.

Chemical Composition

Seven compounds, including two diglycoside flavonoids hesperidin and rutin, one phenolic acid (E)‐ferulic acid, two amino acids namely tyrosine and arginine and two sterols comprising spinasterol and spinasterol 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside etc.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Mulluharive soppu
Hindi	Kanta chaulai
Malayalam	Kattumullenkeera
Tamil	mullukkeerai
Telugu	NA
Marathi	Kante bhaji
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Tanduliuyah
English	Prickly Amaranth

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Habit

Annual

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
				{{{5}}}

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Grows best in a moist soil, but is able to tolerate fairly dry soils and also quite wet, but not waterlogged.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Roadsides, Waste places, Fields.

Photo Gallery

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External Links

• Amaranthus spinosus on wikipedia.org
• Amaranthus spinosus on cabi.org
• Amaranthus spinosuson indiabiodiversity.org