Winged Pigweed (Cycloloma atriplicifolium)

Family: Chenopodiaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Cycloloma atriplicifolium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. It is very small, about 1.5mm in diameter, but was used as a staple food by several native North American Indian tribes. It can be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat or other cereals and used in making bread etc. — It is very small, about 1.5mm in diameter, but was used as a staple food by several native North American Indian tribes.; It can be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat or other cereals and used in making bread etc.; It can also be used as a gruel.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy soils in deserts. Along the sides of streams and on banks. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)