Kanta notey or Prickly amaranth, Amaranthus spinosus

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Kanta notey or Prickly amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus, family: Amaranthaceae) is an annual herb with soft hair and spines. Angular stem is whitish green, sometimes red-margined, hard and smooth, 60-100 cm long, with spine at each node, much-branched. 

Other names: Kantabhanga, Kantamorich, Kantakhuira, Kanta-khudure, Kantanotia, Spiny pig weed (Eng). 


In Bangladesh, it grows beside the roads and in fallow lands in plenty. It is also found in India, Sri Lanka and in other tropical areas of the world.


Leaves are pale green, glabrous, eliptical, petioled. There are two pointed spines in each pair of leaf-node. 


Panicle inflorescence is 6-15 cm long with smal dark brown flowers. It produces flowers from summer to rains. Seeds are black and shiny. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. 


It is emolient, stomachic and diuretic. It is as used to increase the mik of cow.  

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