Weißer Gänsefuß

Lambsquarter is one of the most reliable, nutritious, and abundant wild foods across North America. Its leaves rival spinach in culinary value, and its seeds provide a grain-like resource comparable to quinoa. Resilient in poor soils, tolerant of drought, and prolific in disturbed landscapes, it remains a staple plant for survivalists, gardeners, and foragers alike. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade. Lambsquarter thrives in rich, nitrogen-bearing soils—fertile farmland, compost heaps, gardens, and areas disturbed by human activity. It tolerates drought, heat, and poor soils but performs best in loose, fertile substrates with full sun. The plant readily colonizes plowed fields and abandoned lots, often emerging in vast numbers after disturbance. It is tolerant of moderate salinity and alkaline soils. prefers a moderately fertile soil. Tolerates a pH range of 4.5 to 8.3. In moderate amounts, this plant is a good companion for potatoes, corn, and cucurbits. The plant responds directly to the magnesium content of the soil so it can be used to indicate the presence of that element. Fat hen is occasionally cultivated as a food crop, there is at least one named variety. Called 'Magenta' in reference to the colour of its leaves, it is considered by some people to be the best tasting of all potherbs. Special Features:North American native. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1]. Form: Irregular or sprawling. Habitat & Range: This species is cosmopolitan and found throughout nearly all of North America. It dominates in agricultural landscapes, gardens, farm edges, riverbanks, vacant lots, and disturbed soils. In the Southwest, it occurs in irrigated fields, riparian corridors, canyon bottoms, and areas with soil enrichment. It is far less common in extremely dry, undisturbed desert zones. Size & Landscape Performance: Lambsquarter typically reaches 30–150 cm tall, but can exceed 2 meters in exceptionally rich soil. It forms upright, branching clumps rather than mats. In landscapes, it behaves as a persistent annual weed, sometimes producing dense stands. Its deep taproot helps uptake nutrients from the soil while stabilizing loose substrates. Cultivation (Horticulture): Although seldom intentionally cultivated in the West, lambsquarter grows readily when encouraged. Gardeners may treat it as a volunteer “spinach substitute.” It requires minimal care, germinates readily, and tolerates drought. To maintain tender leaves, consistent moisture is beneficial. Cutting young plants encourages branching and prolongs leaf production. Pests & Problems: Lambsquarter rarely suffers major pest damage. Leaf miners and flea beetles occasionally feed on leaves. Powdery mildew can appear in humid late-summer conditions but rarely impacts seed production. In gardens, it competes for water and nutrients and can overtake weaker crops if not managed. Cultivar / Selection Notes: No named cultivars exist for C. album, though related species such as quinoa have been domesticated. Garden volunteers may vary in leaf size, color, and mealy coating. Pollination: Flowers are wind-pollinated and produce little nectar. Their small, inconspicuous nature reflects their reliance on air currents rather than insect visitation. Seed set remains high even in isolated patches. Identification & Habit: Lambsquarter is an upright annual herb with a branching, often reddish-striped stem and noticeably powdery, white-mealy leaf surfaces, especially on new growth. The leaves are variable in shape—triangular, rhombic, or lanceolate—but typically have coarsely toothed margins and a pale, dusty appearance due to tiny reflective particles on the surface. The plant grows rapidly, often reaching waist height in rich soil. The inflorescences are clusters of small, green, petal-less flowers forming dense spikes or panicles at the tips of stems and in leaf axils. The plant frequently feels soft or flour-dusted to the touch, and the growing tips often appear as though dipped in chalk. By late summer, the flowers mature into masses of tiny, shiny black seeds held inside thin papery coverings.

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Edible Uses: A top-tier wild edible producing excellent spinach-like greens and easily processed, highly nutritious quinoa-like seeds. Safe when cooked and exceptionally abundant, it remains one of the most important edible “weeds” worldwide. Edible Uses & Rating: Both the leaves and seeds are edible. Lambsquarter is an excellent wild vegetable with spinach-like leaves that serve well both raw and cooked. The seeds are also edible and were historically an important grain-like food, comparable in many ways to quinoa. As a wild edible, lambsquarter ranks extremely high: the leaves are flavorful, abundant, and nutritious, and the seeds represent a reliable caloric resource accessible in large quantities. Its rating among wild foods is exceptional, placing it among the best all-purpose edible plants in disturbed or cultivated landscapes [2-3]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A very acceptable spinach substitute, the taste is a little bland but this can be improved by adding a few stronger-flavoured leaves. One report says that, when eaten with beans, the leaves will act as a carminative to prevent wind and bloating. The leaves are best not eaten raw, see the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are generally very nutritious but very large quantities can disturb the nervous system and cause gastric pain. The leaves contain about 3.9% protein, 0.76% fat, 8.93% carbohydrate, 3% ash. A zero moisture basis analysis is also available. Edible seed - dried and ground into a meal and eaten raw or baked into a bread[. The seed can also be sprouted and added to salads. The seed is very fiddly to harvest and use due to its small size. Although it is rather small, we have found the seed very easy to harvest and simple enough to utilize[K]. The seed should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before being used in order to remove any saponins. The seed contains about 49% carbohydrate, 16% protein, 7% ash, 5.88% ash. Young inflorescences - cooked. A tasty broccoli substitute[K]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Fresh leaves have a mild, spinach-like flavor with a slightly salty undertone and no bitterness. The mealy surface can feel soft and pleasant and helps thicken soups when cooked. Leaves are excellent as salad greens when young, though the oxalate content makes long-term consumption of large raw quantities unwise. Cooking neutralizes harshness and improves digestibility, producing a flavor comparable to spinach but slightly richer [2-3]. Seeds are tiny but delicious when toasted or boiled. Toasting imparts a nutty, quinoa-like aroma. Boiling creates a soft porridge with a faint sweetness. Combining toasting and boiling often yields the best flavor and texture. Seeds can also be ground into flour for breads or pancakes. The papery pericarp is thin and softens during cooking; elaborate processing is rarely required [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Lambsquarter germinates in spring and grows vigorously through summer, producing abundant leaves until flowering. Flowering typically begins in mid-summer, with seed ripening from late summer through autumn. Leaves remain edible until the plant becomes overly tough near maturity. Seeds persist on drying stalks well into late autumn, sometimes into early winter if not dispersed by wind or wildlife. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Leaves contain oxalates and saponins, especially in older foliage. Cooking reduces these compounds significantly. Consuming very large quantities of raw leaves may cause digestive discomfort or—rarely—oxalate-related issues in susceptible individuals. Seeds are generally safe but should be cooked for digestibility. Avoid harvesting from chemically treated fields or roadsides [2-3]. Harvest & Processing Workflow: For leaf harvest, pick young growing tips or tender upper leaves in spring and early summer. Wash thoroughly to remove soil and the natural mealy coating. Use raw in salads or lightly steam or boil for cooked dishes. For seeds, wait until late summer or autumn when seed heads dry to a dark color. Strip seed clusters into a container, winnow lightly to remove excess chaff, and toast or boil. Storage is easy: dried seeds keep for months in airtight containers. Cultivar / Selection Notes: No named cultivars exist for C. album, though related species such as quinoa have been domesticated. Garden volunteers may vary in leaf size, color, and mealy coating. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Goosefoot species are often confused with one another. Chenopodium berlandieri, C. fremontii, and C. pratericola can appear similar. Lambsquarter is distinguished by its triangular leaves, mealy white coating, and relatively mild odor. Young amaranths resemble goosefoots but have different leaf venation and lack the mealy surface. Traditional / Indigenous Use Summary: Many Indigenous nations—including Apache, Navajo, Hopi, Paiute, Pima, and Pueblo peoples—used lambsquarter as both a leafy green and seed crop. Leaves were boiled or dried for winter use, while seeds were ground into flour, used in porridge, baked into bread, or combined with other grains. Archaeological evidence shows lambsquarter seeds used in North America for over 8,000 years and possibly cultivated during the Eastern Agricultural Complex.

Dye Soap A green dye is obtained from the young shoots. The crushed fresh roots are a mild soap substitute. Ecology & Wildlife: Seeds are eaten by many birds, including sparrows, finches, and doves. Leaves host certain caterpillars and insects, contributing to food web diversity. The plant accumulates minerals and nitrogen, improving soil fertility when it decomposes. Its abundant seed production is a major wildlife food resource in late autumn.

Heimisch: Afghanistan, Alabama, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Arkansas, Assam, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Connecticut, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Florida, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Gulf States, Hainan, Hungary, Illinois, India, Indiana, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Irkutsk, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Lårdal, Tjølling Eingeführt: Alaska, Alberta, Antipodean Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, British Columbia, California, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Chatham Is., Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Colombia, Colorado, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eswatini, Finland, Free State, Føroyar, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hawaii, Iceland, Idaho, Iowa, Jawa, Kansas, Tristan da Cunha