About Amaranthus blitoides S.Watson
Amaranthus blitoides S.Watson has several common names, including mat amaranth, prostrate pigweed, procumbent pigweed, prostrate amaranth, and matweed. This is a glabrous annual plant species. It usually grows up to 0.6 meters tall, though it can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet) in height. Its flowering period occurs from summer through fall. It is thought to be native to central, and possibly eastern, United States, but it has become naturalized across nearly all of temperate North America. It has also naturalized in South America and Eurasia, and some authorities classify it as an invasive species. The seeds of Amaranthus blitoides were used as food by many Native American groups. For the Zuni people, the seeds were originally eaten raw; later, they were ground together with black corn meal, formed into balls, and eaten.
