Scientific Family
Chenopodiaceae
Other common names
white goosefoot
pigweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1 to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Erect to sprawling, simple to much-branched plant with spikes of minute flowers. Covered with sparse to dense mealy powder.
A white, mealy powder covers the plant; larger leaves irregularly toothed, non-aromatic; stems shorter than blades, sometimes longer, shape a narrow oval tapering to a point at each end, 3 or more nerved; flowers small, clustered, green; fruit smooth.
Habitat
This herb particularly likes disturbed soil but will grow anywhere.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Tiny, green, stalkless flowers are packed in dense clusters at the tips of the main stem and branches. The tiny flowers lack petals, and like the leaves, are also covered in a white powdery coating.
Flower color
Greenish
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are clammy-feeling, unwettable, and have a whitish coating on the underside. The first leaves are roughly diamond-shaped and somewhat toothed toward the point, and the later leaves are narrow and toothless.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Small, bladder-like, thin-walled fruit that splits open when ripe; surface smooth to covered with small, soft projections.
Fruit type
Other
Fruit color
Black
Each plant may produce tens of thousands of tiny, black, shiny seeds with rounded edges. The seeds may appear dullish brown due to the papery covering. The seeds are mature when the flower clusters turn reddish-brown.