Amaranthaceae: Goosefoot Family — Chenopodium
The Goosefoot family will not win any beauty prizes. The flowers are in small globular clumps, having no petals but with 5 sepals. Leaves are simple, sometimes fleshy or reduced to scales. Some plants in this family are cultivated for human food, examples are Chard, Spinach, Beets, Lamb’s Quarters and Quinoa.
California Goosefoot – Blitum californicum
Blooms:
Mar–Sept
Plant Height:
20–90 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Dryish open sites, many communities
Notes:
Common and easily recognized by its large, coarsely toothed, nettle-like leaves, and its long flower spike (up to 20 cm). Spherical clusters of tiny flowers mature into reddish fruits, and finally black seeds. Photos #1, 2 and 4 by CJH.
Lamb’s Quarters – Chenopodium album
Blooms:
June–Oct
Plant Height:
18–100 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
Europe
Habitat:
Disturbed areas & fields
Notes:
At first sight this might be mistaken for a Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) or a dock, but the tight powdery clusters of flowers/fruits (typical of goosefoots) with tiny greenish-yellow flowers are distinctive. Leaves are 25-–70 mm long, dull green above, lanceolate and slightly dentate. This species is notoriously variable in appearance.
Nettle-leaved / Wall Goosefoot – Chenopodiastrum murale
Blooms:
June–Oct
Plant Height:
15–50 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
Europe
Habitat:
Disturbed areas & fields
Notes:
A smallish, spreading plant, branching from its base. Leaves are 8–40 mm, toothed, ovate to deltate, shiny and dark green above. Flowers and fruits are in small terminal or axillary clusters.
Narrow-leaved Goosefoot – Chenopodium pratericola
Blooms:
June–Sept
Plant Height:
16–65 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Open, dry places
Notes:
Generally erect, either simple or branched. Leaves are 3–5 times as long as they are wide, elliptic to narrowly lanceolate. The leaves are 1- or 3-veined, entire or 1–2-lobed at their base. Flowers and fruits are in small terminal or axillary clusters.
Coast Goosefoot – Oxybasis macrosperma
Blooms:
July–Oct
Plant Height:
8–60 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
South America
Habitat:
Moist places near coast
Notes:
This has stout, reddish stems which branch from the base. The lower branches are decumbent, the upper ones ascending. Leaves are diamond-shaped to deltate with serrated margins, powdery below. Clusters of flowers are in terminal or axillary spikes.
