Amaranthus mitchellii aka Mitchell's Amaranth

Amaranthus mitchellii is an annual in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its common name is Boggabri Weed. It grows in Australia, where it is a native plant. Records include New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria. Kew places it in desert or dry shrubland. Other sources record it on sand and gravel. People gather its leaves and seeds from wild plants for food.

The plant grows upright or has stems that slope upward. It reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] in height. Its annual life cycle means it does not form a lasting shrub. Each plant bears both male and female flowers. Wind carries pollen between flowers, and the plant can fertilise itself. The seeds are very small, though reports describe them as easy to gather. The supplied sources give no bloom dates or flower colours.

For garden use, the sources favour sun and soil that drains well. PFAF states that the plant cannot grow in shade. It lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable soil types. The stated pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Despite its dry native habitat, PFAF says it prefers moist soil. It is frost tender, so cold limits its growing season. Its performance in Britain remains uncertain. The sources list cultivated beds as a place to grow it.

Sow seeds outdoors in late spring, once the soil warms. Seed can also be started earlier under glass. Move these plants outside after the risk of frost has passed. Warm soil helps seeds sprout well; cold soil gives poor results. A cooler night can also help germination. Cuttings taken from growing plants root with ease. Useful Tropical Plants reports that leaf-chewing insects can cause damage. The supplied evidence gives no named diseases or control methods.

Cooked leaves serve as a spinach-like green. The seeds are also edible after cooking and provide nutrients. Whole seeds become thick and jelly-like when cooked. Their small size makes them hard to crush by chewing. Some may therefore pass through the gut without being digested. The whole plant can supply yellow and green dyes. The sources report no known medicinal use. These food and dye uses are its main documented practical values.