Blitum virgatum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blitum virgatum |
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Blitum virgatum, also known as leafy goosefoot, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the amaranth family. This plant is originally from Europe and Asia. You can also find it in other parts of the world. There, it often grows as a small weed in places where the ground has been disturbed, like gardens or farms.
What Does Leafy Goosefoot Look Like?
This plant is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all within one year. It stands upright and can grow to be a bit more than half a meter tall. That's about 20 inches.
Its leaves are usually 1 to 4 centimeters long. They can have jagged edges, like tiny teeth, or they can be smooth.
The plant produces small groups of flowers. These groups are shaped like tiny balls. The flowers themselves are reddish-green and very small. These tiny flowers grow around the plant's fruits, which are about one millimeter wide.
How Is Leafy Goosefoot Used?
Both the leaves and the flower clusters of this plant are safe to eat. They taste a lot like spinach. In the past, people in Europe grew leafy goosefoot as a leaf vegetable.
Today, there is new interest in growing this plant again. People are starting to see its value as a food source once more.
See Also
- Bledomera para niños (in Spanish)
