Plants of this family are mostly halophytes (Atriplex, Salsola kali) or xerophytic, annual or perennial herbs or shrubs, only rarely small trees (Haloxylon ammodendron), or sometimes succulent (Salicornia); mostly adapted to grow in salty or alkaline soil; plant parts covered with hair.A family of about 102 genera and over 1400 species, Chenopodiaceae are cosmopolitan in distribution, found chiefly in saline and xeric habitats. About 20 genera and over 55 species represent the family in India.Selected Indian genera are:
- Basella,
- Beta,
- Chenopodium,
- Kochia,
- Spinacea and
- Suaeda.
Economic Importance
Sugar:Tuberous napiform roots of Beta vulgaris (sugar beet or chukander) contain about 20% sugar and are the main source of sugar in several temperate countries.Edible plants:
- Green leaves of Artiplex hortensis (Orache), Chenopodium album (bathua), C. bonus-henricus (good king Henry), Beta benghalensis (gobru palak) and Spinacia oleracea (spinach) are used as vegetables.
- Seeds of Chenopodium album and C. quinoa are ground into flour and eaten.
- Roots of Beta vulgaris are eaten as salad
- Seeds of Chenopodium quinoa are boiled and eaten as rice.
- Fodder for cattle is obtained from Artiplex hortensis, Chenopodium album, Kochia indica and Salsola foetid.
- Ornamental plants of family are Kochia scoparia (burning bush), Suaeda maritime, Chenopodium amaranticolor and Artiplex hortensis.
- Chenopodium ambrosioides is used against hookworms.
Amaranthaceae
(Amaranthus or pigweed family)
Plants of this family are mostly annual or perennial weedy herbs, rarely woody shrubs or climbing shrub (Deeringia amaranthoides). Plants have dense or congested inflorescence; flowers small with dry scarious bracts; stamens connate; at least at the base; fruit utricle or capsule.A family of about 65 genera and 900 species, Amaranthaceae are mostly distributed in tropical but also in temperate regions. About 18 genera and over 50 species have been reported from India.Selected Indian genera are:
- Achyranthes,
- Alternanthera,
- Amaranthus,
- Celosia,
- Digera,
- Gompherna and
- Pupalia.
Economic Importance
Ornamental plants of the family known for their multicoloured foliage and beautiful inflorescence are-
- Amaranthus caudatus (foxtail)
- A. tricolor
- A. salicifolius
- Celosia cristata (cocks comb; white, purple or yellowish red panicles)
- Deeringia amaranthoides
- Gompherna globosa (globe amaranth)
- Irene herbtsii (purplish red foliage)
- I. lindenii (red foliage)
Edible plants of the family, of which the young leaves and young shoots are used as vegetable are-
- Amaranthus blitum (amaranth or chaulai)
- A. caudatus
- A. hybridus
- A. spinosus (antili chaulai)
- A. tricolour (bari chaulai)
- A. viridis
- Celosia argentea
- Digeria muricata
- Grains of Amaranthus caudatus are roasted and eaten.
Medicinal plant:Inflorescence paste of Achyranthes aspera is used as an antidote against snake and scorpion bites.Weeds:Widespread troublesome weeds of this family belong to several genera including Acnidia, Amaranthus, Gompherna and Iresine.
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