African Wildlife & Environment Issue 79

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

Amaranthus growing on the edge of a wetland near Onderstepoort (Photograph: John Wesson)

Recently I have noticedan increase in foraging, which takes me back to one of my first and favourite foraging marogo- plants, which to me has been one of the most available, easiest to access, nutritious, versatile and delicious weeds in South Africa. It never disappoints one! Foraging plants: THE WILD AMARANTH

This richly colourful, much-loved marogo grows quickly and abundantly in the wild, without much attention or water, to an average height of two metres. One will notice sweeps of the deep red feathery flower heads on the roadsides as the passing traffic will gently blow the seeds along the road until it re-seeds itself. But one needs to know a whole lot more… The natural survival of this plant is fascinating. When an area goes into a drought condition over a lengthy period of time, it will be the amaranth that will resurface first. It has been the jewel of weeds for foraging for ages past, as both the seeds and the leaves are deliciously edible. It is the most spectacular of all foraged plants and seeds itself prolifically, annually on pavements, roadsides, fields and in our gardens (if you allow it!). After the first spring rain the emerging bright magenta flowering heads are fluffy and brush- shaped, with minute little white blossoms dotted between each stem. The green leaves with a maroon underside are visible throughout the summer, and even into the winter. As the plant grows, the larger the leaves the less edible they become, as they grow leathery and tough. The larger leaves can be layered and used to wrap around pieces of fish or chicken, and the straight,

Sandy Roberts

Not only is it beautiful to look at, the whole plant can be used in so many ways. Let me inspire you to thinking differently about this simple roadside weed. This is the wild Amaranth ( Amaranthus species) in red and green colour variations. My favourite is the red amaranth. It grows prolifically where we live and the birds love it too. It is also known as 'wild spinach' or 'pigweed'; in Afrikaans it is called 'Misbredie', in Sesotho it is called 'Tepe' and in IsiZulu is it 'Umfino'.

23 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 79 (2021)