Amaranthus

A genus of the plant family Amaranthaceae, many of them succulent weeds of cultivated fields. Contain high levels of nitrate or oxalate or both. Includes A. blitum, A. cruentus, A. deflexus, A. hybridus, A. mitchellii, A. palmeri, A. paniculatus, A. powellii, A. retroflexus, A. spinosus, A. thunbergii, A. viridis.

• A. retroflexus — if eaten in large quantities is capable of causing non-oxalate-induced nephrosis and fatal uremia in cattle and pigs. Called also Prince of Wales feather, redleg, red amaranth, pigweed.

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In Greek mythology, Amaranthus was a hunter of the island of Euboea, a son of King Abas. He was loved by the goddess Artemis and joined her in the hunt. But he insulted Poseidon as worthless, claiming the bounty of the hunt was superior to that of the sea. For this the god sent a giant wave which washed him into the sea and drowned him. Artemis then turned him into an amaranth-flower, her sacred plant.

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