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.