Red goosefoot, Hong ye li
Chenopodium rubrum

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb 30-80 cm tall. The stem is erect and red. The leaves are triangle shaped. They are large and have blunt lobes. There is a notch near the tip. The flowers are erect spikes.

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 is a temperate plant. It grows on lightly salty-alkaline sites, It is resistant to drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe (country/location of origin), Ireland, Luxembourg, North America, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves are slightly bitter so are used in curries and sour dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Agathophytum rubrum Rchb.; Blitum acuminatum Schur.; Blitum maritimum Nutt.; Blitum polymorphum C. A. Mey.; Blitum rubrum C. A, Mey.; Blitum rubrum (L.) Reichenb.; Botrys humilis (S. Watson) Lunell.; Botrys rubra (L.) Lunell; Chenopodium astracanium Ledeb.; Chenopodium blitoides Lej.; Chenopodium humile Hook.; Chenopodium matthioli Bertol. ex Moq.; Chenopodium patulum Merat; Chenopodium pygaeum Menyh.; and others