Plants of the Amaranthus genus are an important part of the traditional Greek diet, known as vlita (βλήτα), they are gathered in large bunches from the wild, grown in gardens and sold on vegetable stalls in the markets and commonly appears on the menus of Skopelos tavernas. Surprisingly the plants are not native to Greece, but like the tomato and potato originated in the Americas. Amaranthus retroflexus and its hybrids were identified as a widespread weeds throughout Europe by c1800.

The plants cover large areas in fields and on waste ground: they can grow very tall. They self seed and crop several times a year.

A. hybridus

A similar species but more slender and with smooth reddish stems.

A. viridis

Another similar species characterised by a white chevron on the leaves.