Annual erect herb up to 1.5(–2.5) m tall, commonly reddish or purplish throughout; stem rather stout, not or sparingly branched, glabrous or thinly furnished with rather long hairs. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole up to 8 cm long, but never longer than the blade; blade broadly ovate to rhomboid-ovate or ovate-elliptical, 2.5–15 (–20) cm × 1–8 cm, base cuneate to attenuate, apex obtuse to acute, glabrous or sparsely hairy on main veins below, pinnately veined. Inflorescence large (up to 1.5 m) and complex, consisting of numerous agglomerated cymes arranged in axillary and terminal spikes, the terminal one pendant to erect; bracts 3–4 mm long, membranous, pale, with a long awn. Flowers unisexual, sessile; with 5 mucronate tepals 2–3 mm long; male flowers with 5 stamens c. 1 mm long; female flowers with superior, 1-celled ovary crowned by 3 stigmas. Fruit an ovoid-globose capsule 1. 5–2.5 mm long, circumscissile, almost smooth or slightly furrowed, abruptly narrowed to a short thick beak, 1-seeded. Seed almost globose, 1–1.5 mm long, smooth and shining, pale coloured (ivory), reddish or dark brown.

Laxative (root); diuretic (plant)

Plants For A Future
PROTAbase: Amaranthus caudatus

The seeds are useful for expelling tapeworms and for treating eye diseases, amoebic dysentery, and breast complaints. The plant is used in the treatment of stranguary and is applied externally to scrofulous sores.