Thank you Tanayji,Dr.Pankaj,Gibyji,Dr. Shiddamallayya and Dr Phadke Some interesting info Myth, legend and poetry
The word *amaranth* comes from the Greek<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language> word *amarantos*, meaning "unwithering". The word was applied to amaranth because it did not soon fade and so symbolized immortality. "Amarant" is a more correct, albeit archaic form, chiefly used in poetry. The current spelling, *amaranth*, seems to have come from folk etymology<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_etymology> that assumed the final syllable derived from the Greek word *anthos* ("flower"), common in botanical names. Aesop's Fables <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop%27s_Fables> (6th century BC) compares the rose to the amaranth to illustrate the difference in fleeting and everlasting beauty: A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden,and the Amaranth said to her neighbour,"How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent!No wonder you are such a universal favourite."But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice,"Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time:my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die.But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut;for they are everlasting." Or in story form: An amaranth planted in a garden near a Rose-Tree, thus addressed it: "What a lovely flower is the Rose, a favorite alike with Gods and with men. I envy you your beauty and your perfume." The Rose replied, "I indeed, dear Amaranth, flourish but for a brief season! If no cruel hand pluck me from my stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But thou art immortal and dost never fade, but bloomest for ever in renewed youth." Not all amaranth plants are cultivated. Most of the species from *Amaranthus * are summer annual weeds and are commonly referred to as pigweeds.[28]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth#cite_note-Bensch-27> These species have an extended period of germination, rapid growth, and high rates of seed production[28]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth#cite_note-Bensch-27> and have been causing problems for farmers since the mid-1990s. This is partially due to the reduction in tillage<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillage>, reduction in herbicidal use and the evolution of herbicidal resistance in several species where herbicides have been applied more often.[29]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth#cite_note-28> The following 9 species of *Amaranthus* are considered invasive and noxious weeds in the U.S and Canada: *A. albus*, *A. blitoides*, *A. hybridus*, *A. palmeri*, *A. powellii*, *A. retroflexus*, *A. spinosus*, *A. tuberculatus*, and *A. viridis*.[30] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth#cite_note-29> Regards Bhagyashri On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Satish Phadke <[email protected]>wrote: > *Amaranthus viridis* > Commonly observed growing in open areas in Pune. > > > On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 9:33 AM, Madhuri Raut <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Request for identification >> >> >> Date/Time-Sep 2011 >> >> >> Location- Place, Altitude, GPS-Pune >> >> >> Habitat- Garden/ Urban/ Wild/ Type- wild >> >> >> Plant Habit- Tree/ Shrub/ Climber/ Herb- Herb >> >> >> Height/Length- about 4-5 cms >> >> >> Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size-green >> >> >> Inflorescence Type/ Size- spiked with light purple and whitish flowers I >> think >> >> >> Fruits Type/ Shape/ Size Seeds-I can see some yellow dot like structures >> on the leaves I do not know if they are seeds >> >> >> Regards >> >> Bhagyashri >> > > > > -- > Dr Satish Phadke >
