It's an ancient plant, whose closest relative, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, has been used lately by health-food advocates who extol its nutritional and functional properties. Seabeach amaranth was hit particularly hard by recent hurricanes on the Atlantic coast, making Marcone's work more crucial and pressing. Marcone is trying to scientifically confirm the functional properties of the plant to maintain stocks of the species. This particular species of amaranth was listed as a globally threatened plant species in 1993. Its habitat is being destroyed not only by natural disasters, but also by cottage sea walls and beach erosion.
Most people consider it a weed.
However, the bad news is that virtually all known wild plant species have been destroyed by recent hurricanes. We don't have to go to Brazilian rainforests to see a decrease in biodiversity, it's happening on our own continent. Production and consumption of the amaranth grain peaked during the Mayan and Aztec periods of Central America, when it was used as a food crop and ceremonial plant. Its decline began when Spanish conquerors legislated a ban forbidding its production and use under the punishment of death to destroy the Aztec religion. Amaranth has regained popularity, primarily in the health food industry.