Amaranthus blitoides

Leaves are a substitute for spinach and eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. Naturalized in temperate North America, South America and Eurasia. Common names include: mat amaranth, prostrate pigweed, procumbent pigweed, prostrate amaranth, or matweed.

Amaranthus blitoides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m by 0.3 m .
It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. There is some confusion over the correct name for this species, some authorities say that it is part of A. graecizans, whilst others say that it is a distinct species. Most if not all members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions.