Are Amaranthus Retroflexus and Amaranthus Spinosus in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Amaranthaceae.

Can you substitute Amaranthus Retroflexus for Amaranthus Spinosus?

They are close relatives in the genus Amaranthus, often substitutable with flavor adjustments.

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Amaranthus Retroflexus vs Amaranthus Spinosus

Amaranthus retroflexus · Amaranthus spinosus

Amaranthus Retroflexus

Amaranthus retroflexus

T Traditional Use

Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Amaranthus
Primary use: medicinal

Amaranthus retroflexus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae with several common names, including red-root amaranth, redroot pigweed, red-rooted pigweed, common amaranth, pigweed amaranth, and common tumbleweed.

Amaranthus Spinosus

Amaranthus spinosus

T Traditional Use

Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Amaranthus
Primary use: medicinal

Amaranthus spinosus, commonly known as the spiny amaranth, spiny pigweed, prickly amaranth or thorny amaranth, is a plant that is native to the tropical Americas, but is present on most continents as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed. It can be a serious weed of …

At a glance

· Same genus (Amaranthus) — close relatives, often substitutable.
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Amaranthus Retroflexus: T; Amaranthus Spinosus: T.