Spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus)

Amaranth is an annual plant that belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. In nature, it is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. It is found in the Czech Republic as a burnt and fallen plant, but is very rare. The spiny amaranth is also known as Amaranthus spinosus, pti banlar or giền.

The main use of the spiny amaranth is in gastronomy and medicine. The young leaves and shoots are eaten as a vegetable, similar to spinach. It is also used to make various dishes such as soups, salads and side dishes. Amaranth is high in minerals, vitamins and proteins and is therefore particularly popular in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. In addition to its culinary use, the plant also has medicinal applications. For example, amaranth is used in traditional Indian medicine to treat headaches, diarrhoea, inflammation, bleeding and other ailments.