Chenopodium album L.

White goosefoot is an annual, multi-branched, erect herb that can grow as tall as 1,5 m. This weed has a sturdy taproot and the stems are ribbed, green-yellowish, often reddish striped and hairless.

The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and vary from lancet-shaped to egg-shaped. The leaf margins can be entire or irregularly toothed and are dark green at the top and floury white below.

Seedlings can appear woolly due to the white colouring of the young leaves. Leaves can be 5 cm long and 3 cm wide.

The flowers of Chenopodium are green in thick self-standing axillary plumes, with no crown and five keeled calyx leaves. The seeds are lenticular, black and shiny and up to 1,5 mm in diameter.

This weed is commonly referred to as ‘morog’ or pigweed, but this weed must not be confused with Amaranthus species which are also edible. Chenopodium is widespread in South Africa and is frost tolerant.

Chenopodium is controlled in the Reserve by manually removing the plant before seeds and flowers appear – during the early winter months.