Kuppacheera (Amaranthus Viridis) — Herbs of Kerala

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Kuppacheera (Amaranthus viridis) was used as a vegetable similar to spinach in different parts of Kerala, but the use of this plant as a vegetable is largely diminishing. The leaves are the edible parts. Kuppacheera literally means spinach from rubbish.

Kuppacheera is an annual plant that reaches the height of 10-14 inches. Its flowers are similar to that of spinach. It grows in wastelands and almost all types of reasonably drained soil.

In Ayurveda medicine, decoctions prepared from kuppacheera are used in the treatment of diabetes. Different medicine systems also suggest the use of this plant as an astringent and vermifuge. It is also used in treating dysentery and inflammation.

Propagation is through seeds, which have less than one mm diameter.

Amaranthus viridis belongs to the family Amaranthaceae.