Chenopodium Album

Chenopodium album is one of the species of the genus Chenopodium, which is cultivated as a food crop in Asia and parts of Africa. Especially in India it has major cultivations and is eaten as a leafy vegetable like many others. It is a weed in Australia, North America and Europe. This plant has several subspecies, microspecies as well as varieties which cannot be differentiated easily. It is referred to by names that are also the names of the plants of other species of the same genus.

Common Name

This vegetable is known as fat-hen, lamb’s quarters, pigweed and white goosefoot in English. Two of its Indian names are:

  • Bathuwa in Hindi
  • Paruppukkirai in Tamil

Description

Physical characteristics of this plant have been elaborated here:

Height

It can grow up to a height between 10 and 150 cm.

Chenopodium album Flower Picture

Chenopodium album Flower

Leaves

Leaves have different shapes and attain a length of 4 to 7 cm. They are arranged alternately and have a waxy coating which makes them stand water. On the parts below, they look whitish.

Flowers

They are small, growing on thickly branched cluster on the stem.

Seeds

Having a diameter of 2 mm maximum, the almost shiny seeds are a mix of black and brown colors.

Taste

It has a mild taste which might resemble spinach to some extent.

Smell

It has no recognizable aroma.

Chenopodium album Seeds Image

Chenopodium album Seeds

Distribution

This leafy vegetable is grown globally as a food crop and fodder in Asian and African nations. However it is considered to have originated from Europe and introduced to Australia, North America and Africa.

Habitat

It can grow in any type of soil and climate but it has shown better adaptability to temperate climatic zones.

Cultivation

This plant is not fussy and hence it grows in any condition except shady regions. To grow these leafy vegetables, a semi-fertile soil can be suitable. Propagation can be done by seeds, by sowing it in spring. Germination will occur in some days from sowing.

Health Benefits

  • Seeds of the plant are said to be very beneficial for enhancing appetite and has been used as a laxative agent.
  • It is a natural source of iron, fiber, vitamins and protein, which helps the body gain immunity and strength.
  • A tea made from the leaves of this plant can be used to treat lose motions and stomach pains.
  • It can be used to address the problem of nutritional deficiency as it contains some of the most valuable nutrients.
  • To avoid stone formation in kidney, the juice made of the leaves can be consumed.
  •  For swelling in body, it can be of great relief.
  • It can also be used during jaundice.
  • For treating problems of missed periods, the seeds of this plant are very useful.
  • Juice of this vegetable is also good for anemic patients.
  • It is beneficial for infections in the urinary tract.

Uses

Edible Uses

  • Seeds of this plant can be crushed into flour which is again used for making different types of breads and pancakes.
  • It resembles spinach and hence it can also be cooked and eaten like it.
  • The seeds can be boiled or roasted and then ground to make porridge and cereals by blending with other ingredients.
Chenopodium album Picture

Chenopodium album

  • In ground form, it can be used for beer and other local alcoholic beverages like soora.
  • Shoots can be cooked with other vegetable or boiled and eaten.
  • Young plants are edible as a whole but in matured plants only the leaves and tips are tender, which makes it edible.
  • Sprouts can be integrated in salads and snacks.

Medicinal Uses

It does have some medicinal properties like:

  • For treating rheumatism a concoction made of it is often administered.
  • Leaves of the plant can be used in treating insect bites.
  • Traditional African medicine uses the plant in many ways.

Other Uses

  • Young shoots of this plant can be used for making a green color dye.
  • Roots of the plant can be crushed and used instead if a mild soap.
  • Seeds of this plant are used as a livestock fodder.
  • The stalk of the plant is an ideal walking stick as with time it becomes very tough.
  • This plant can attract leaf miners which save the other crops from its damage and maintain ecological balance.

Recipe

  • A popular recipe from India is called Sarson da Saag, which is a cooked leafy vegetable.
  • Some other delicacies from the Indian state Punjab include stuffed fried breads and soups.

Nutritional data

100 gram of the leaves contain:

Per 100 g 260 calories
Protein 24g
Calcium 2300mg
Phosphorus 500mg
Iron 25mg
Fat 5g
Carbohydrate 45g
Ash 28g
Fiber 15g
Vitamin A 31583mg
Niacin 2.5mg

Toxicity

This plant has edible leaves and seeds but some species of the genus to which this plant belongs might contain saponins, a toxic substance. However cooking this vegetable reduces its toxicity to a great extent.

Pictures of Chenopodium album

Chenopodium album Picture

Side Effects

Overconsumption of this vegetable is not advised as it contains oxalic acid which may affect health adversely. Leaves eaten in excess can lead to gastric pain and problems in the nervous system apart from other symptoms.

Chenopodium album During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can avoid its intake as not much is known about its usage in such conditions. Plus, its consumption might lead to certain symptoms of illness.

Store and Buy Chenopodium album

You would be able to buy the seeds from local nursery or online stores which also offer discounts. To keep it for long, its leaves can be frozen or canned. You can also blanch these or keep them after drying.

Facts

  • Species in Asia have some differences with the ones native to Europe.
  • It is often referred to as weeds, spreading easily on wastelands and any soil which has high nitrogen content. Various measures of control are applied to curb its growth.
  • It is grown in the middle Himalayas as a food crop, from which leaves as well as seeds are derived for consumption.
  • This plant is often planted in between other crops like maize, potato or rice in various parts of India.
  • It can be severely affected with a disease arising in humid weather conditions.
  • It has a variety known as magenta which is known to be colorful and delicious.
  • Its leaves and young shoots are often eaten as emergency food during droughts.
  • In South Africa, the plant is much accepted as a wild vegetable.
  • Every plant can produce thousands of seeds that are commercially viable.
  • At many archaeological sites belonging to the Iron Age, existence of this plant has been traced in the form of fossils.
  • It becomes the host of a deadly virus for plants called beet leafhopper.
  • Artificially treated soil is not good for it as it soaks in the nitrates from the soil.
  • Common form of poisoning caused in humans and animals have been reported due to nitrates and oxalates.

Pictures

Some images of this invasive plant species listed here will help you in its identification.

Photos of Chenopodium album

Chenopodium album Photo

Images of Chenopodium album

Chenopodium album Image

References:

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Chenopodium+album

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenopodium_album#Uses_and_consumption

http://www.kingdomplantae.net/lambsQuarters.php

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Chenopodium+album

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