Nettleleaf Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale)

Family: Chenopodiaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Chenopodium murale is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked as a spinach. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - cooked. — Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked as a spinach.; The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity.; It can be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat or other cereals and used in making bread etc.; The seed is small and fiddly, it should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins.

Habitat & North American Range

Dunes and in waste places, especially on light soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)