MULLEN CHEERA (Amaranthus spinosus)

INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

                                  VOL.8

Common Name:-

                                spiny amaranth

                       

Malayalam Name:-

                              MULLEN CHEERA

.                      

                       

Other Names:-

Prickly Amaranth,

                                Edlebur,

Needle burr,

Thorny amaranth,

                                Kanta chaulai,

                                Chengkruk,

Kante bhaji,

Kante math ,

Mullukkeerai,

Mullatotakura ,

                                Mulluharive soppu,

                                Kantanotya ,

                                Tanduliuyah

                      

                           

Botanical Name:-

Amaranthus spinosus     

Spiny amaranth is an erect, branched annual herb. Its colour varies from green to purple. The plant is mostly trated as a noxious weed. It grows up to a height of 30-50 cm with hard, straight stems paired with axillary spines.  The nutritional value is similar to that of vegetable amaranths but the presence of the numerous spines  in each nodes is detrimental to its common use and it remain as a famine vegetable.

Nutritive Value:-

        100 g. leaves contains

Energy 176 kJ ,

Protein 4.6 g,

Fat 0.2 g,

Carbohydrate 8.3 g,

Fibre 1.8 g,

Ca 410 mg,

P 103 mg,

Fe 8.9 mg

     

Planting method:-

Spiny amaranth is naturally growing one and it is rarely cultivated. Seed is used for propagation.

      

Food Value:-

Leaves and young plants are used for cooking just like Amaranth.

       

Medicinal Value:-

        The spiny amaranth shows anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, some tribes apply this plant to induce abortion and also in the treatment of snake bites.