Nettleleaf Goosefoot, Rounded-leaf fat hen
Chenopodiastrum murale

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual plant. It grows to 20-100 cm high and spreads to 1 m across. The stem is erect and branching. The stems are green. The leaves are green and shaped like a diamond. They are 8 cm long and have saw like teeth along the edges. The leaves have pale, mealy scales. The flowers are small. They occur in clusters at the top of the plant. The ripe seeds are black.

There are about 100-150-250 Chenopodium species. They are mostly in temperate regions. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and tropical places. It grows in most well drained soils in an open sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. In Papua New Guinea it occurs in the Eastern highlands. In Nepal it grows to about 1200 m altitude. In Bahrain it grows in sandy or gravelly soils. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, Chad, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sahara, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Socotra, Senegal, Sicily, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: This plant can accumulate nitrates which are poisonous. This gets worse in high nitrogen soils. The tender leaves have been eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are also used as a sauce. The seeds are parched and ground and made into porridge or popped like popcorn.

Plants are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable, flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Anambodihena, Bahu, Bathoo, Bathu, Berremram, Cenizo de muro, Cenizos, Chalwairay, Chilni bhaji, Chirua bethe, Doshag, Goyalo, Green fat hen, Hediondilla, Kachiyuyo, Kalo bethe, Karnd, Karwa bathoo, Khabeetha, Khad-bathal, Kharatua, Khobaitha, Kora batoon, Koringbossie, Krund, Kurund, Lampato, Lulur, Pahade bathuwa, Quelete de Puerco, Quinoa negra, Quinguilla, Serua, Sowbane, Thor surma, Wirajuira, Yuyo, Yuyu negro

Synonyms

Atriplex muralis (L.) Crantz; Chenopodium biforme Nees; Chenopodium carthagense Zucc.; Chenopodium congestum Hook. f.; Chenopodium flavum Forssk.; Chenopodium gandhium Buch.-Ham. [Invalid]; Chenopodium guineense Jacq.; Chenopodium laterale Aiton; Chenopodium longidjawense Peter; Chenopodium lucidum Gilib.; Chenopodium maroccanum Pau; Chenopodium murale L.; Rhagodia baccata (Labill.) Moq.; and others