Amaranth 'Opopeo' Amaranthus cruentus One of the most productive and easy to grow summer fillers you can find, this towering beauty is the best dark variety of amaranth on the market. The large, rich burgundy-toned stems add a unique textural quality to arrangements. While the underside of the leaf is dark, the top side is a dusty plum. Beautiful, large, red, upright flower spikes and bronze-green foliage make this Mexican heirloom a real knockout in the vegetable garden. Tasty leaves are tender when picked young and can be cooked like spinach. Easy to grow from seed. Tasty. Seeds can be eaten raw, sprouted, toasted, roasted, or ground into flour for baking. Amaranth leaves have a flavor similar to spinach.