Chenopodium fremontii

Chenopodium fremontii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae known by the common name Frémont's goosefoot. Both the species' specific epithet, and the common name derive from the 19th century western pioneer John C. Frémont.[1]

Further information: John C. Frémont botanical nomenclature eponyms

Chenopodium fremontii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Chenopodium
Species:
C. fremontii
Binomial name
Chenopodium fremontii

It is native to much of the western half of North America from Canada through California to Mexico.[2] It grows in many types of habitat from open desert, to shady forest, at 700–3,100 metres (2,300–10,200 ft).[3]

Description

Chenopodium fremontii is an annual herb growing an erect stem up to 50 to 80 centimeters in maximum height. It is powdery in texture, especially on the leaves and flowers. The leaves are up to 4 centimeters long, oval to triangular, and generally with a few lobes.[3]

The inflorescence is a spike of several clusters of tightly-packed tiny flowers. Each flower has five lobes and coats the developing fruit. It flowers from June to October.[3]

Uses

Many Native American tribes utilize this plant for food, the greens as a vegetable and the seeds as grain for bread and porridge.[4]

References
  1. Michael L. Charters. "Botanical Names: F". California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations. Sierra Madre, CA. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
  2. USDA-profile
  3. Jepson treatment
  4. Univ.Michigan: Ethnobotany
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