Probably introduced as a garden plant, red amaranth now occurs on Skopelos as an occasional weed. It has its origins in Mexico and Guatemala, where it was domesticated before the conquistadores arrival in Central America, it is grown as a vegetable and a decorative garden plant. Species of amaranth now exist throughout the world, both leaves and seeds are eaten and provide valuable nutrition.

A. caudatus

A similar species but the flowers droop, giving rise to the English epithet loves lies bleeding.