Amaranthus caudatus, or love-lies bleeding, is putting on an impressive display of tassel-like flowers on the Systematic Beds.
A member of the Amaranthaceae, this annual from South America has alternate, entire leaves typical of this family. The genus Amaranthus contains mainly herbaceous perennials and shrubs, and has a global distribution. Members of the genus are widely used by indigenous peoples as a food source and regard them as staples. Domesticated food crops derived from this genus include beetroot, spinach and quinoa. A. caudatus requires humus-rich soil in full sun to produce richly-coloured tassles up to 60cm in length. The plant can reach 1.5m in height and creates an impact as a specimen plant in mixed plantings, or in containers.