Nihoa

Nihoa, collectively known as amaranth, is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants. Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. Most of the Amaranthus species are summer annual weeds and are commonly referred to as pigweed. Catkin-like cymes of densely packed flowers grow in summer or autumn. Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple, through red and green to gold.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Cultivated and consumed in many parts of the world, Amaranth leaves, roots, and stems and seeds are edible
• Amaranth oil is extracted and used in dietary supplements and cosmetics
• The flowes were used by the Hopi to make a deep red dye
• Amaranth is a food plant for moths and butterflies