Botany:
· An erect, smooth, branched unarmed herb, 30-60 cm high.
· Leaves: alternate, ovate, long-petioled, 4 to 10 cm long, obtuse tip, usually notched, base truncate or decurrent.
· Flowers: very small, densely disposed, green, 1 mm long. Sepals 5 or 1 to 3, ovate to linear, often aristate. Petals none. Inflorescence terminal axillary, simple or panicled, interrupted spikes.
· Fruits: compressed, indehiscent or circumcised utricles. Seeds black or brown, orbicular.

Note: This herb differs from Amaranthus spinosus (Uray) in the absence of spines on the stems.

Distribution
A common roadside weed on lowlands and low altitudes.
Seeds or cuttings for propagation.

Chemical constituents
The powdered leaves yield tannin, some reducing sugar and resin, but no alkaloid.

Parts utilized
· Roots.
· Harvest the root at any time of the year.
· Wash thoroughly, cut into pieces and sun-dry.
· The plant can be eaten as a vegetable.

Properties
· Similar to Uray (A. spinosus).
· Febrifuge.
· Emollent (leaves).
· Considered emollient and vermifuge.

Uses
Nutritional
Leaves and seeds are edible.
Eaten as vegetable.
The tops are rich in calcium and iron. The plant is a good source of vitamins B and C.
Study found it to be an excellent source of protein.
Folkloric
The plant isThe therapeutic properties and dosage are very nearly identical to Amaranthus spinosus (Uray).
Poultice of leaves for inflammations, boils and abscesses.
Use for acne.
Infusion of plant has been used as a diuretic and galactagogue.
Used for snake bites and scorpion stings.
Decoction of plant used for dysentery and inflammation.
In India, stem used as antidote for snake bites. Leaves used for scorpion stings. Traditionally used for constipation, inflammation, eczema, bronchitis, anemia and leprosy.
In Nepal, infusion of powdered seeds of flower used for stomach problems. Seeds also used in pregnant women to lessen labor pains.

Studies
• Flavonoids / Rutin / Quercetin: Study yielded flavonoids quercetin and rutin. Flavonoids possess biochemical effects – inhibition of enzymes, hormone regulation, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities, among other. Av presents itself as a good medicinal food.
• Antiviral: (1) Virucidal potential of some edible Nigerian vegetables: Extract from four leaves, including A viridis, used as edible vegetables, were test for antiviral activity. All the extracts showed dose-dependent antiviral activity. (2) A ribosome-inactivating protein from Amaranthus viridis: An antiviral protein, amaranthin, was isolated from AV.

Availability
Wild-crafted.