289 Amaranth Amaranthus Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth,[citation needed] is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants. Catkin-like cymes of densely packed flowers grow in summer or autumn. Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to green or gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia. Although several species are often considered weeds, people around the world value amaranths as leaf vegetables, cereals, and ornamental plants. "Amaranth" derives from Greek ????????? (amarantos), "unfading," with the Greek word for "flower," ????? (anthos), factoring into the word's development as "amaranth." The more accurate "amarant" is an archaic variant. 20715 Amaranth 289.jpg image/jpeg 633428 2012-04-20T09:40:08Z 316 Herbs and Spices Herbs Type 1 2011-02-09T00:37:30Z 2019-05-14T18:04:22Z false specific 3564 true FOOD00288