Definition

Noun: 1. A tall, showy tropical American annual plant: A species of flowering plant characterized by hairy stems and long, dense spikes of typically red flowers that bloom above leaves with a deep purple flush. Its seeds are often harvested and used as a cereal grain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden featured a striking border of Amaranthus cruentus, its crimson plumes towering above the other plants.
  • Farmers in the region cultivate Amaranthus cruentus both for its ornamental beauty and for its highly nutritious seeds.
  • The deep purple foliage of Amaranthus cruentus provides a dramatic contrast to green-leaved plants in landscaping.

Advanced Usage

• As a common name: While is the botanical Latin name, this plant is commonly known by several names reflecting its uses and appearance, such as "red amaranth," "purple amaranth," or "blood amaranth."
• In agricultural context: The term is used specifically to denote this species within the genus , which is cultivated as a pseudocereal. It is distinguished from related species like (prince's feather) or (love-lies-bleeding).

Variants and Related Words

• Amaranth (n): The common name for plants in the genus , including . It also refers to the edible seeds of these plants.
  • Amaranth grain is gluten-free and rich in protein.
• Pseudocereal (n): A classification for plants that produce seeds used like cereals (e.g., wheat, rice) but are not members of the grass family. is a pseudocereal.
  • Quinoa and amaranth are popular pseudocereals.

Synonyms

• Red amaranth (n): A common name describing the flower color.
• Purple amaranth (n): A common name describing the leaf color.
• Blood amaranth (n): A common name emphasizing the deep red hue of the flower spikes.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Grain amaranth (n): A term for amaranth species, including , grown primarily for their edible seeds.
• Ornamental amaranth (n): A term for amaranth species, including , grown primarily for decorative purposes in gardens.

Noun

1. tall showy tropical American annual having hairy stems and long spikes of usually red flowers above leaves deeply flushed with purple; seeds often used as cereal