Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Food - Young leaves are consumed cooked. A delicious taste, they are used as a vegetable. Seed is dried and ground into a powder then mixed with cereals when making bread, biscuits etc. Medicine - The seeds, shoots, and leaves are used medicinally, and to all are attributed cardiotonic, diuretic and restorative properties. The seeds and fruits are also antibacterial, antifungal, antiphlogistic and astringent. Ornamental - Outstanding background for beds and borders. Eco-restoration - Although an exotic, it has been used in N. America for revegetation of disturbed lands. It is rated moderately good for erosion control and long-term revegetation potential and good for short-term revegetation potential.
Europe, Central Asia
Thrives in temperate biome, adaptable to various conditions.
It is annual forb.
Stem is erect, much-branched, leafy, 60-150 cm tall.
Leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, and are the main attraction of this shrub, light green, finely textured, rounded, bushy, 5-7 cm long in summer, turning red in autumn.
Flowers are greenish, in clusters of 2-6 near leaf axils, developing into short, hairy spikes of about 1-5 cm.
Flowering: July -Winters.