SafePlants

Chenopodium strictum Roth (Late-Flowering Goosefoot)

Chenopodium strictum Roth, commonly known as late-flowering goosefoot, is a member of the Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot) family. This plant has shown interesting ecological adaptations, including herbicide resistance.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Chenopodium strictum Roth
• Common Name: Late-Flowering Goosefoot
• Family: Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)
• Synonyms/Varieties:
  • Chenopodium serotinum Linnaeus (accepted English vernacular name for late-flowering goosefoot, though technically a synonym)
  • Chenopodium strictum Roth var. glaucophyllum
  • Chenopodium strictum Roth var. zschackei (Murr) Murr ex Asch. / Zschack’s goosefoot

Distribution and Habitat

• Mentioned as growing in Britain in the late-glacial and post-glacial periods.
• Observed at Camber Castle, flowering from late February to June.
• Observed in Saskatchewan.

Ecological Role

• Certain biotypes of Chenopodium strictum have developed resistance to the herbicide atrazine.
• Mentioned in the context of herbicide resistance in common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Annual plant that may bloom from late spring into the fall.
• Flowering occurs from late summer to early fall, followed by seed production.
• Lower leaves may have a goosefoot shape, while upper ones are linear.
• Flowers and fruit are enclosed by a pair of bracts; calyx is absent in pistillate flowers.
• Small greenish or reddish flowers are produced in widely spaced small rounded clusters.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• A lactone compound significantly reduced the germination and biomass production of redroot pigweed and late-flowering goosefoot.
• Seeds are a food source for birds.

Other Common Names

• Fat-hen
• Lambsquarters goosefoot
• Pigweed
• White goosefoot
• Oval-seeded goosefoot
• Strict goosefoot
• White goosefoot
• Striped goosefoot