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Chenopodium acuminatum - Willd.

Common Name
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The leaves and seeds of all members of this genus are more or less edible. However, many of the species in this genus contain saponins, though usually in quantities too small to do any harm. Although toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down to a large extent in the cooking process. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. The plants also contain some oxalic acid, which in large quantities can lock up some of the nutrients in the food, but, even considering this, they are very nutritious vegetables in reasonable quantities. Cooking the plant will reduce its oxalic acid content. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].
Habitats Wastelands, riverbanks and field margins in northern China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Chenopodium acuminatum


Chenopodium acuminatum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Chenopodium acuminatum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[105, 177]. Used like spinach, they have a mild flavour. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - cooked. Rich in protein. It can be ground into a flour and used in making bread etc. The small black seed is about 1mm in diameter[266] and somewhat fiddly to utilize. It should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

Gold/green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[169].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know how well it will grow in Britain, but it should succeed as a spring sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade[1, 200]. It prefers a moderately fertile soil[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[200]. Most of the seed usually germinates within a few days of sowing.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Aga Buryat, Buryatia, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Gorno-Altay, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyva, Respublika), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China (Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan, Vietnam (northeast), Malaysia, Philippines

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Chenopodium albumFat Hen, LambsquartersAnnual0.9 0-0  LMHNM321
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Chenopodium giganteumTree SpinachAnnual2.4 4-8  LMHNM302
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Chenopodium graveolensFoetid GoosefootAnnual0.9 -  LMHNM211
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Chenopodium incanumMealy GoosefootAnnual0.5 -  LMHNM201
Chenopodium leptophyllumNarrow Leaved GoosefootAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM201
Chenopodium muraleNettleleaf GoosefootAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM201
Chenopodium nuttalliaeHuauzontle, Nuttall's goosefootAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM401
Chenopodium opulifoliumSeaport goosefootAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHSNM201
Chenopodium overiOver's goosefootAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNM201
Chenopodium pallidicauleCañihuaAnnual0.6 -  LMHNDM301
Chenopodium polyspermumAll-Seed, Manyseed goosefootAnnual0.9 0-0  LMHNM201
Chenopodium pratericolaDesert GoosefootAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Chenopodium quinoaQuinoa, Goosefoot, Pigweed, Inca WheatAnnual1.5 10-12 FLMHNM502
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Willd.

Botanical References

266

Links / References

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