Chenopodium ficifolium, Fig-Leaf Goosefoot, Southwest Desert Flora

Chenopodium ficifolium, Fig-Leaf Goosefoot

Flowers of Fig-Leaf Goosefoot grow in spikes and panicles. Chenopodium ficifolium

Stems of Fig-Leafed Goosefoot are both angular and striped with greenish lines. Chenopodium ficifolium

Leaves are green with variable leaf shapes from ovate, triangular, or elongate. Mid-section leaves are 3 dentate lobed. Chenopodium ficifolium

Flowers are mostly inconspicuous but generally greenish white, each with 5 tepals. Flowers are wind pollinated, fruiting summer and fall. Chenopodium ficifolium

Very little information available about specific characteristics of Chenopodium ficifolium in North America. Chenopodium ficifolium

Scientific Name: Chenopodium ficifolium
Common Name: Fig-Leaf Goosefoot

Also Called: Figleaf Goosefoot, Fig-leaved Goosefoot, Fig-leaved Lamb's-quarters

Family: Chenopodiaceae, Goosefoot Family (now as sub-family Chenopodioideae in the Amaranthaceae Family).

Synonyms:Chenopodium serotinum

Status: Introduced from Europe.

Duration: Annual

Size: Up to 3 feet (.9 m)

Growth Form: Plants erect, stems angular and with greenish stripes, mostly smooth or glabrous or sparsely or covered with meal-like particles (farinose).

Leaves: Green; leaves alternate, leaf shape variable, ovate, triangular or elongate, mid-leaves 3 dentate lobes,, upper-leaves narrower, or with smooth edges; leaves typically with short (1 to 2 cm long) stems (petiolate); leaves non-aromatic.

Flower Color: Whitish-green; flowers with 5 tepals, flowering stalk a spike, form a panicle, flowers bisexual, wind pollinated; fruiting summer and fall.

Flowering Season: July to September

Elevation: Up to 1,000 feet (304 m)

Habitat Preferences: Prefers disturbed areas, alkaline soils but it will also thrive in rich, composted soils as with as soils with good drainage.

Recorded Range: Erratic distribution across the United States; AZ, FL, MO, PA and NY. Elsewhere in European, Middle East, Asian and northern African countries. It also grows in New Zealand and Australia.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Chenopodium ficifolium.

U.S. Weed Information: Unknown

Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: Unknown

Wetland Indicator: Unknown

Threatened/Endangered Information: Unknown

Genus Information: In North America there are 43 species for Chenopodium. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 165 accepted species names for the genus.

The genus Chenopodium was published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, (1707-1778).

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 30 species of Chenopodium, California has 47 species, Nevada has 32 species, New Mexico has 36 species, Texas has 38 species, Utah has 31 species. All data approximate and subject to revision.

Comments: Very little information available about specific characteristics of Chenopodium ficifolium in North America.

In Southwest Desert Flora also see: Nettleleaf Goosefoot, Chenopodiastrum murale.

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock Unknown

Special Value to Native Bees, Butterflies and Insects Unknown

Etymology: The genus "Chenopodium" is from the Greek word “chen” meaning goose and “pous” meaning foot or podion, “a little foot”, a reference to the shape of the leaves in some species.

The species epithet “ficifolium” is from the Latin root “fici” meaning ficus or fig, a reference to the fig-like shape of the leaves.

The genus Chenopodium was published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, (1707-1778).

Ethnobotany

According to Edible Wild Food, The leaves and flowers of Fig-Leaf Goosefoot . . .“can be eaten raw or cooked although cooked is advised. Raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities. Seeds can be roasted and eaten."”