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Amaranthus cruentus 'Copperhead'
| Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
| Common Name: | Copperhead Amaranth, Hot Biscuits, 老鸦谷 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large herb up to 1.5 m tall or more. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves vary in shape from egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped to intermediate between egg- and diamond-shaped. |
| Flowers | The round, thick inflorescence stalk is copper-coloured and ribbed. The inflorescence is produced at the tip of the stalk and in the leaf axils (i.e., terminal and axillary inflorescences). It is composed of male flowers near the tip and female flowers below the male flowers. |
| Fruit | The copper-coloured, seed-like fruits (known as utricles) are egg-shaped to ellipsoid (2-2.5 mm long). |
| Cultivation | Plants should be spaced 30-45 cm apart. |
| Etymology | The genus Amaranthus comes from the Greek words for unfading flower ('amarantos' and 'anthos'). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The leaves can be added to salads. Cut - Dried Flower: This cultivar is prized for its long-lasting inflorescence which is ideal for dried flower arrangements. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32843 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7257 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
