Nettle-leaved goosefoot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nettle-leaved goosefoot |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chenopodiastrum
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| Species: |
murale
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The Nettle-leaved goosefoot (also known as Chenopodiastrum murale) is a type of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. People also call it Australian-spinach, salt-green, or sowbane. This plant originally comes from Europe, parts of Asia, and northern Africa. However, it has spread all over the world, especially in warm, tropical, and subtropical places. It's very common to see it growing as a weed in fields and along roadsides.
What Does Nettle-Leaved Goosefoot Look Like?
This plant is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one growing season. It can grow up to about 70 centimeters (about 2.3 feet) tall. Its stem stands upright and is usually red or green with red streaks. The plant has many leaves, which are green.
The leaves are shaped like an oval or a triangle. They have jagged edges, like teeth, and are quite wide. The top side of the leaves feels smooth, while the underside often has a powdery feel.
Instead of typical flowers, the plant has small, round buds that grow in powdery clusters. These buds don't open up into big blossoms. Instead, the outer parts, called sepals, stay closed over the plant's ovary as the fruit starts to grow.
Can You Eat Nettle-Leaved Goosefoot?
Yes, parts of the Nettle-leaved goosefoot plant are edible! You can eat its seeds. The young shoots, stalks, and leaves can also be cooked and eaten like other green vegetables. In the past, people called it "Australian Spinach" or "Fat-hen." It was used as a "pot-herb," meaning it could be cooked in a pot, much like spinach.
In the Oʼodham language, this plant is called oñk i:waki, which means 'salt greens'. Even though it's an introduced species (meaning it was brought to new places by people), it has become a popular plant to gather from the wild during summer, especially in hot, dry areas of North America.
Important Safety Tip: Be very careful not to confuse Nettle-leaved goosefoot with the deadly black nightshade. When they are young, these two plants can look similar. However, the leaves of Nettle-leaved goosefoot have a white, flour-like texture, and the plant often has a red streak where the leaves meet the stem. Black nightshade does not have these features. Always be sure you know what you are picking before you eat it!
