Common amaranth

Common amaranth is an introduced annual found as a casual weed on cultivated land and in waste places. It is considered to be a native of North America but is now distributed worldwide. Common amaranth has come into the UK from many different sources including with birdseed. It is more frequent in the warmer drier regions of Britain like East Anglia. It prefers loose friable soils rich in nitrogen.

Common amaranth plants and residues may have an allelopathic effect on the germination and growth of other plants. It accumulates high levels of caesium 137 and strontium 90 and may be used for bioremediation of contaminated soil.