Does Amaranth Need Pollination?

Amaranth is eaten in countries around the world.

Ancient civilizations of America used amaranth as an important food source as far back as 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Today, nearly 60 species of amaranth fall into either grain or green leaf vegetable types, with both plants requiring pollination.

Grain Amaranth

Grain amaranth self-pollinates, which means it does not need other plants for pollination. Scientists developing better strains of grain amaranth use controlled pollination in greenhouses. The plants grow up to 7 feet in height with thick stems and resemble sunflowers. The tiny seeds are white to cream-colored.

Vegetable Amaranth

Vegetable amaranth is an open-pollinating plant, so it's capable of both self- and cross-pollinating. Its edible leaves are considered a food staple in some parts of the world and a delicacy in the United States. The warm-season annual's new leaves are made into cooked greens and taste similar to spinach.

Locations

Amaranth is used as a traditional food in India, Mexico, Peru and several other countries. In the United States, grain amaranth is grown for heath food use with most field production concentrated in Nebraska. Vegetable amaranth is grown in the garden.

References

• Purdue University Agriculture: Amaranth Rediscovered
• Purdue University Agriculture: Population Density and Soil pH Effects on Vegetable Amaranth Production
• Purdue University Agriculture: Non-Shattering Grain Amaranth Populations

Resources

• Purdue University Agriculture: Amaranth