Chenopodium album

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Chenopodium album is a fast-growing weedy annual plant in the genus Chenopodium. Though cultivated in some regions, the plant is elsewhere considered a weed. Common names include lamb's quarters, melde, goosefoot, manure weed, and fat-hen, though the latter two are also applied to other species of the genus Chenopodium, for which reason it is often distinguished as white goosefoot. It is sometimes also called pigweed, however, pigweed is also a name for a few weeds in the family Amaranthaceae; it is for example used for the Redroot pigweed.

Description[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium album is a robust herb that grows to a height of up to 150 cm. It has a branched stem and simple, alternate leaves. The leaves are diamond-shaped and are covered with a whitish coat of mealy hairs. The flowers are small and form a dense inflorescence. The seeds are black and shiny.

Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium album is found throughout the world. It is a common weed in gardens, fields, and disturbed grounds. It prefers rich and fertile soils.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium album has been used as a food source in many parts of the world. The leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and iron. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds are also edible and can be ground into a flour.

In traditional medicine, Chenopodium album has been used to treat various ailments. It has been used as a laxative, diuretic, and to treat skin diseases.

Cultivation[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium album is easy to grow and can become invasive. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate poor soil conditions and drought.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Template:Plants-stub

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD