The amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family encompasses a surprising and diverse number of useful plants that you see everyday, but probably would never guess are this closely related.
Amaranth
Silver
Since antiquity, silver has been considered a precious metal in many different cultures. But there are a few things about silver that you probably don't know.
Eugene Saturday Market
The Eugene Saturday Market is a treasure trove of Crazy Useful Things.
Cashew
The cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree in the sumac (Anacardiaceae) family, native to northern and western South America and Brazil, but now widely cultivated in tropical areas around the world.
Strake
For a word you've probably never heard of before, it has a surprisingly diverse number of meanings -- from wagon wheels to boats to jets, and even mining.
Sorghum
Barely known to the average westerner, sorghum shares a 5000-year relationship with human beings and is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world. What else don't you know about it?
Cod
Cod is among the most important food fish in the world, and cod liver oil has been a popular dietary supplement for centuries at least. So let's show a little appreciation for the Gadidae, shall we?
Mangosteen
One of the many popular world fruits that is virtually unknown in North America, the mangosteen is also a close relative to the source of one of the most recognizeable colors in the world.
Alunite
If you know even one of the important uses of this under-the-radar mineral, then you probably either work in one of the many industries that use it -- or you've already read this article.
Crazy Useful 