purple amaranth, Amaranthus cruentus

Crossword clue, "Immortal flower in Dante's Inferno?" Am I allowed to be disappointed that it is amaranth? Amaranth brings to mind pigweed. Not an inspiring plant, and one few would want to be immortal. But amaranths take in a lot of territory. This purple amaranth came to us in gardens before spreading to the wild. Others provide grain, green vegetables and legitimately useful herbal medicine. Purple amaranth has been reported from AL, AZ, CA, CT, DE, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, BC, ON, and QC. Beal Gardens, MSU, 8/17/12. Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae.