AMARANTH (0k. 6,uciparroe. aniarallt0S, from a, a. neg. -F papairetv. rainei n, to die away, wither), Amarant us. A genus of plants of the natural order Amarantacea‘. This genus contains nearly 100 known species, natives of tropical and temperate countries, but chiefly abounding within the tropics. They are herbs or shrubs, with simple leaves, and flowers in heads or spikes. The genus Amarantus has mostly moncecious flowers. Some of the species are naturally of singular form, and others as sumo singular but monstrous forms through cultivation. Love-lies-bleeding (Amarantus eau datnsl. Prince's feather (_tmarantus hypo chondriaeus), and other species are common annuals in our flower gardens. The spike: of Amarantus eaudatus are sometimes several feet in length. The dry red bracts which surround the flower'retain their freshness for a long time after being gathered, for which reason the plant has been employed by poets as an emblem of im mortality. The Globe amaranth (Goa/ph/rim globosa) and the Cockscomb, well known tender annuals, belong to the same natural order. The
Globe amaranth is much cultivated in Portugal and other Roman Catholic countries for adorn ing churches in winter. Its flowers, which are of a shining purple. retain their beauty and fresh ness for several years. About a dozen species are native and introduced in the United States, where they are mostly coarse annual weeds. Amarantus blitum, Amarantus oleraceus m Chu san han-tsi), and other species are used as pot herbs. Wholesome mucilaginous qualities are generally found in the leaves throughout the or The seed- of \ marantus frumentacens ( called Kiery) and of Amarantus anardana, or Ama rantus panieulatus, are gathered for food in In dia. Medicinal properties are ascribed to some species of the order, particularly to Gomphrena officinalis and Goinphrena maerocephala, which have a high and probably exaggerated reputation in Brazil as cures for many diseases. Consult: L. H. Bailey, rycluperdia of American Horticul ture (New York. 1900-02) and G. Nicholson, The Illustrated History of Gardening (London, 1S5S)