Aridland goosefoot facts for kids

Chenopodium desiccatum is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. People often call it aridland goosefoot or slimleaf goosefoot.

This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it in parts of the Western United States and southern Western Canada. It likes open areas like prairies and dunes. It also grows in chaparral areas.

Chenopodium desiccatum can even grow in places that have been disturbed. This includes roadsides. It also lives in mountain areas. For example, it grows in the Transverse Ranges and Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

What is Aridland Goosefoot?

Chenopodium desiccatum is an annual herb. This means it lives for only one growing season. It has a stem that stands upright and branches out.

Plant Size and Texture

The stem can grow up to about 35 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a standard ruler. The plant often feels powdery. This powdery feel is especially noticeable on its leaves and flowers.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the aridland goosefoot are thick and fleshy. They are usually less than 3 centimeters long. Their shape is generally oval, and they have smooth edges.

The flowers grow in groups called an inflorescence. These are tiny flowers packed very closely together. Each flower looks a bit dusty. It has five small parts called a corolla. These parts surround the fruit as it grows.