Following the recent assimilation of the chenopodiaceae family, there are now over 2,000 species in the amaranthaceae, or amaranth family, of which around 30 are found in the UK. Most are undistinctive, with tiny flowers and leafy stems, often grooved or striped. Leaves tend to be greyish green, with a mealy coating. Flowers have five tepals (no petals) and between two and five stamens; they typically form as a narrow, elongated cluster.
