Starch granules were prepared from seeds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., A. caudatus L., proso millet, Japanese barnyard millet and foxtail millet. Amylose contents and the distribution of .alpha.-1,4 linked amylopectin were determined by gel filtration of isoamylase-debranched starches. Some physical and chemical properties of the starches were also examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, photopastegraphy and differential scanning calorimetry, together with starch-granule susceptibility to amylases. The existence of normal and waxy types in the same species of a grain amaranth, A. hypochondriacus L,, was confirmed. A. caudatus starches consist of mainly typical amylopectin and 5-7% amylose. The starches have some unique properties, namely, high starch-granule susceptibility values to amylases and unique pasting properties.