Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)

Family: Amaranthaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Amaranthus caudatus is a ANNUAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavoured leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. — Leaves - raw or cooked as a spinach or added to soups etc.; The mild flavoured leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals.; Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious, individual plants can bear up to 100, 000 seeds.; It is eaten cooked or ground into a powder and used in baking.

Habitat & North American Range

A weed of cultivated ground. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)