SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 9604.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9604" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

lambsquarters

Scientific Name: Chenopodium album var. microphyllum

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Lambs Quarters: A Nutritious "Weed"

Lambs Quarters, often considered a common weed, is a surprisingly nutritious and edible plant with a long history of use. Also known as goosefoot or pigweed, this summer annual is found worldwide and offers a wealth of vitamins and minerals.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is commonly found in gardens and disturbed soil, areas where pets may roam.
  • Lambs Quarters produces numerous seeds, potentially leading to widespread growth.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is commonly found in gardens and disturbed soil, areas where children may play.
  • Lambs Quarters produces numerous seeds, potentially leading to widespread growth.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Chenopodium album
  • Family: Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot family)

Synonyms and Common Names

  • Lambs Quarters, Lambsquarter (alternate spellings)
  • Common lambsquarters
  • White goosefoot
  • Fat-hen
  • Pigweed
  • Wild spinach
  • Bacon weed
  • Dirty Dick
  • Muck Hill weed
  • Melde
  • Pitseed
  • Huauzontle
  • Tree spinach

Distribution and Habitat

  • Common lambsquarters is one of the most prevalent weed species found in the U.S. Soybean Belt.
  • It is found throughout California up to an elevation of 5900 feet (1800 meters).
  • It is commonly found in gardens, lawns, and anyplace the soil has been disturbed.
  • Origin: Eurasia, North America (ambiguous).
  • Common in gardens throughout North America.

Ecological Role

  • Lambs Quarters is generally considered a weed and can be an "establishment weed".
  • It competes with cultivated plants for resources.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Common lambsquarters is a broadleaf summer annual.
  • Height averages 3 feet (90 cm), but may vary from a few inches to 6 feet (1.8 meters).
  • Stems may have red streaks.
  • Leaves are soft, slightly downy, and mucilaginous.

Quirky Facts

  • One Lambs Quarters plant can produce up to 75,000 seeds.
  • Lambs Quarters is considered by some to be a relative of spinach, quinoa, and amaranth.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Can compete with regular garden vegetables.

Additional Information

  • Official USDA name: "Lambsquarters, raw". USDA Record Number: "11244". Food Group: Vegetables and Vegetable Products