About Amaranthus hybridus L.
Amaranthus hybridus L. grows from a short taproot, and reaches a maximum height of 2.5 meters. It is either glabrous or glabrescent. Amaranthus hybridus was originally a pioneer plant native to eastern North America. It has been recorded in every US state except Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska. It also occurs across many Canadian provinces, as well as in parts of Mexico, the West Indies, Central America, and South America. It has become naturalized in many warm climate regions around the world. It can grow in a wide range of locations, including disturbed habitats. Both its seeds and cooked leaves are edible. Several Native American groups used this plant for food and medicine, and it is also used in traditional African medicine. It is one of the species sold and consumed as Quelite quintonil in Mexican food markets. It exhibits weak antimicrobial activity, and contains phytochemicals that show promising potential for anti-cancer applications.
