Leaves edible only when boiled and generally of low quality. Seeds are abundant, nutritious, and excellent when toasted or boiled, offering one of the most dependable wild grain resources of the Great Basin. Edible Uses & Rating: Nevada goosefoot is valued primarily for its seeds, which served as a significant food source for Native peoples of the Great Basin. The leaves, although technically edible when cooked, are generally of lower quality than those of species such as pitseed or slimleaf goosefoot and were rarely used as food historically. Seeds, however, are abundant, easy to gather, and rich in nutrients, offering a reliable wild grain even in extremely poor soils. As a traditional food and for modern foragers, Nevada goosefoot earns a high rating for seed edibility and a low rating for leaf edibility [2-3]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Leaves tend to have an acrid, salty, or mineral-tinged flavour, often too harsh for raw consumption. Boiling can reduce bitterness but rarely produces a desirable cooked green. The seeds are the true asset. They resemble the small, dark-brown to black, thin-walled grains typical of the genus. Toasting brings out a nutty, quinoa-like aroma, while boiling creates a soft porridge. Seeds are enclosed in a papery pericarp that may adhere but is easily removed by light rubbing or by washing after toasting. Nevada goosefoot grain can be used alone or mixed with other wild seeds, flour, or ground meal. It excels in hot cereals, flatbreads, and savoury dishes [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Plants germinate in spring or early summer as soil moisture allows. Flowering generally occurs in mid-summer, with seed production peaking from late summer into early autumn. Seeds often persist on dried stalks for weeks, allowing flexible harvest times. Leaf quality is best early in the season; seed quality remains high until plants begin to shatter. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): As with all Chenopodium species, leaves contain oxalates and saponins, requiring boiling to reduce harshness. Seeds are generally safe when cooked but should be rinsed if bitterness is detected. Plants grown in saline soils may accumulate minerals that influence flavour. Foraging should avoid contaminated sites due to the plant’s affinity for disturbed ground. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Seeds are harvested when clusters turn dry and pale brown. Rubbing the infructescence releases seeds easily. Winnowing removes most debris, and toasting improves both flavour and handling. Boiled seeds create a soft porridge; toasted seeds can be ground or added whole to other dishes. Leaves may be collected early in the season but rarely justify culinary effort. Cultivar / Selection Notes: No cultivars are recognised. Wild populations vary slightly in leaf shape, scent, and seed colour, but all share similar food qualities. Selective harvesting may encourage more robust local strains. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Nevada goosefoot may resemble C. album, C. pratericola, or C. leptophyllum. Distinguishing features include its habitat preference for alkaline desert soils, its somewhat narrow yet thickened leaves, and its muted, weak scent. Because many goosefoots overlap in morphology, seed and leaf scent, branching habit, and location are often more diagnostic than leaf shape alone. Traditional / Indigenous Use Summary: The Paiute used the seeds as a staple food, collecting them in late summer and grinding them into flour or mixing them with water to make porridges. Their reliance reflects the species’ dependability in marginal desert soils. Documentation of leaf use is sparse, suggesting that seeds were overwhelmingly the primary resource.

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None Known

It requires minimal irrigation and tolerates nutrient-deficient substrates. Because it is highly drought-tolerant, it may be of interest in experimental food-forest or restoration projects where soil salinity and dryness limit plant options. Ecology & Wildlife: Seeds feed small birds, rodents, and other granivores. Plants contribute structurally to desert herbaceous layers, providing cover for insects and serving as early-season forage for some wildlife. Its drought tolerance makes it a stabilising species in erosion-prone soils.

Special Uses