Amaranthus blitoides

Amaranthus blitoides, commonly called mat amaranth,^[1] prostrate pigweed,^[2] procumbent pigweed, prostrate amaranth, or matweed, is a glabrous annual plants species. It usually grows up to 0.6 m, though it may grow up to 1 m (3 feet). It flowers in the summer to fall.

Amaranthus blitoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Genus:	Amaranthus
Species:	A. blitoides
Binomial name
Amaranthus blitoides S.Wats.

It is believed to have been a native of the central and possibly eastern United States, but it has naturalized in almost all of temperate North America. It has also naturalized in South America and Eurasia. Some authorities list it as an invasive species.

Uses

The seeds of Amaranthus blitoides were used as a food source by a number of Native American groups.^[3] Among the Zuni people, the seeds were originally eaten raw, but later ground with black corn meal, made into balls and eaten.^[4]