Strawberry-fruited fat hen
Chenopodium foliosum

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 20-70 cm tall. It often has several stems. It can be erect or sprawling. The leaves have irregular lobes and are almost triangle shaped. They are 7-10 cm long and have a pointed tip. The leaves are dark green above and are paler underneath. The flowers are small and 4 mm wide. They occur in clusters on the main stem. They are a greenish-yellow colour. Plants contain both sexes and they are pollinated by wind. The fruit are like berries. There are many small drupelets in a tight cluster. The fruit are bright red. They are 1-1.5 cm wide. The fruit can be 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 cool temperate plant. It grows naturally in mountainous regions in Central and Southern Europe. It cannot tolerate frost but is grown as an annual. It needs full sun. They grow best in fertile soil. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 1,200-2,300 m above sea level

Countries/locations it is found in

Armenia, Asia, Australia, Britain, Caucasus, China, Europe, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Moldova, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit have little flavour but can be used as a garnish on sweet or savoury dishes. They are eaten fresh. They are also boiled with milk. The leaves are usually lightly boiled then eaten. It is used as a pot-herb.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are usually grown from seed. Seeds can be broadcast and grow in 7-14 days. Seedlings can be transplanted. A spacing of 30-50 cm is suitable.

It grows easily.

Its other names

Local names

Ban palak, Beetberry, It uzumu, Joasag, Kaz aya, Khorrach, Kupald, Kusuzumu, Matuta, Raske ruvi, Sangsti, Sneou, Strawberry sticks, Tirye ruvi

Synonyms

Blitum korshinskyi Litv.; Blitum virgatum L.; Chenopodium blitum F. Muell.; Chenopodium blitum Hook. f.; Chenopodium korshinsky Litv.; Chenopodium virgatum (L.) Jess.; Monocarpus foliosus Moench;