Foetid Goosefoot (Chenopodium graveolens)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Exposure
- Full sun
Cultivation
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.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ. Most of the seed usually germinates within a few days of sowing.
Edible uses
Leaves - raw or cooked. Used like spinach. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a meal and used with cereal flours in making bread, dumplings etc. The seed is small and fiddly, it should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins.
Medicinal uses
The plant has been steeped in hot water and the steam inhaled as a treatment for headaches.
Material uses
Gold/green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.
Habitat
A common weed of cultivated ground, especially on rich soils.
Native range
N. America.
Scientific synonyms Dysphania graveolens, Dysphania incisa