Chenopodium pallidicaule aka Canihua

Chenopodium pallidicaule, or cañihua, is an annual food plant. It belongs to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its native range runs from Peru to northwestern Argentina. It grows in highland areas of tropical South America. Farmers once grew it often for its edible seeds. Useful Tropical Plants reports that growers now plant it less often. It also grows wild and occurs as a weed in crop fields.

The plant stands upright and forms many branches. It reaches about 2 feet [0.6 metres] in height. Short, stout stems help it withstand wind and heavy rain. It can grow where frost occurs during nine months of the year. Adult plants withstand night frosts, even during the growing season. These traits suit it to cool, exposed growing sites. It does not tolerate coastal exposure, according to Plants For A Future.

Flowers appear from July to October, with seeds ripening from August to October. Each flower has both male and female parts. Wind carries the pollen, and plants can also fertilise themselves. The seeds are tiny, about one millimetre across, but plants produce many. Sow seeds straight into their growing place in spring. Most seeds sprout within a few days. Seeds can germinate in soil at 5°C. Plants can flower at 10°C and ripen seeds at 15°C.

Grow cañihua in full sun, as it cannot grow in shade. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils, including shallow ground. It prefers soil with a moderate level of nutrients. It tolerates a broad pH range, from 4.8 to 8.5. It also tolerates some salt in the soil. Dry or moist soil suits it, but excess humidity does not. Plants become drought tolerant once they reach about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] tall. Its main garden role is as a food crop in cultivated beds.

Cook the leaves as a green vegetable, much like spinach. Eat raw leaves only in small amounts. Toasted seeds can be ground for cereal, biscuits or bread mixes. The ground seeds also make a hot drink. They contain little or no saponin and need no pretreatment. The source's food-safety notes warn about oxalic acid; cooking reduces its content. People prone to kidney stones or gout should take care. The whole plant also yields gold or green dyes. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal uses.