Strawberry blite, Elite, Strawberry spinach, Beetberry
Chenopodium capitatum

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual plant that looks like "fat hen" in appearance. It grows 20-40 cm high. The stems are smooth and erect. The leaves are alternate and dark-green. The flowers are in round heads without stalks. In the axils of leaves it has red fruit. They are berry-like and juicy.

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 in waste ground and recently burnt clearings. It grows in wet ground in the Rocky Mountains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, North America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The red fruit can be eaten. They are tasteless but nutritious. They can be boiled and seasoned. The fruit can be used as a red dye for other foods. The leaves are edible cooked. Young leaves are used in salads.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

The plant self seeds easily.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Blitum capitatum L.; Blitum petiolare Link; Blitum tataricum Mill.; Blitum terminale Stokes; Chenopodium capitatum (L.) Ambrosi;