The genera Amaranthus (the amaranths) and Celosia (the cockscombs) contain many ornamental species, as well as species whose seeds are used as
pseudocereals and leaves as
leaf vegetables.
Systematics
The subfamily Amaranthoideae comprises about 57 genera with about 330 species.
Phylogenetical research revealed that the subfamily is
polyphyletic and its traditional classification (tribe Amarantheae Rchb. with two subtribes Amaranthinae und Aervinae) does not reflect the phylogenetic relationship.[1] Therefore, a new taxonomical grouping is required. Müller & Borsch (2005) recognized several clades:[1]
basal group:
Bosea L., on Macaronesian Islands, and in Cyprus and western Himalaya.
Charpentiera Gaudich., endemic to Hawaii and the Australian Ridge (Tubuai-Islands)
Cladus Amaranthoids:
Amaranthus L. (Syn.: Acnida L., Amblogyna Raf.), with about 60 species, occurring also extratropical in temperate regions.
Chamissoa Kunth, with about 24 species in Middle and South America.
Tribus
Celosieae, with multiovulate ovaries. This tribe is the only
monophyletic one.[1] With about 5 genera and about 69 species:
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abcKai Müller & Thomas Borsch (2005): Phylogenetics of Amaranthaceae using matK/trnK sequence data – evidence from parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian approaches, In: Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 92, p. 66–102.