list of plants in the family Amaranthaceae

Amaranthaceae, the amaranth family, contains some 174 genera and around 2,500 species distributed worldwide. Its members are typically herbaceous plants or subshrubs, many of which can tolerate poor saline soils. The flowers are often small and borne in dense inflorescences, and the simple leaves are usually arranged alternately along the stem. A number of species are important food crops, and several are cultivated as ornamentals. The following is a list of some of the major genera and species in the family Amaranthaceae, arranged alphabetically by common name.

• amaranth (genus Amaranthus)

  • pigweed (various species)
• genus Bassia
• Beta vulgaris

  • beet (B. vulgaris)
  • chard (B. vulgaris)
  • sugar beet (B. vulgaris)
• genus Celosia

  • cockscomb (C. cristata)
• glasswort (genus Salicornia)
• globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
• goosefoot (genus Chenopodium)

  • lamb’s quarters (C. album)
  • quinoa (C. quinoa)
• genus Halogeton
• saltbush (genus Atriplex)
• spinach (Spinacia oleracea)