Careless Weed (Amaranthus palmeri)

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

The leaves, stems and seeds of Palmer amaranth or carelessweed are edible and highly nutritious. The leaves are cooked as a spinach. The seed is also cooked and then used with cereal flours in porridge and breads. It is native to most of the southern half of North America. Common names, including carelessweed, dioecious amaranth, Palmer's amaranth, Palmer amaranth, and Palmer's pigweed.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - cooked as a spinach. The leaves can also be dried for winter use. Seed - cooked. Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious. — Leaves - cooked as a spinach.; The leaves can also be dried for winter use.; Very small but easy to harvest and very nutritious.; It is usually ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours in making porridge, bread etc.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste places and fields at low elevations, also in interior valleys and deserts in California. (Zone 6)