Chenopodium foliosum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• leafy goosefoot
• strawberry goosefoot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chenopodium blitum
• Chenopodium foliosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Caryophyllales and is a member of the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Blitum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Blitum virgatum, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the islands and coastal areas of Great Britain. The species is also widely documented throughout the landscapes of Norway. Finally, its geographical range is completed by its occurrence in Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Blitum virgatum is characterized by its specialized preference for high-altitude environments and specific geological substrates. This species thrives within an elevational range spanning from 1,500 m to a maximum of 4,400 m AMSL, indicating a high degree of adaptation to alpine and subalpine climatic conditions. Its primary habitats consist of rugged mountainous terrains, where it is commonly found colonizing limestone formations and various stony places. These rocky, mineral-rich microhabitats provide the necessary drainage and substrate composition required for its survival in extreme montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

limestone, mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Blitum virgatum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions primarily through the dispersal of seeds rather than through persistent above-ground or below-ground vegetative structures. This life form dictates a rapid growth strategy focused on reaching reproductive maturity quickly. Additionally, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Blitum virgatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. The plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.425 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.425 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Blitum virgatum is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process in which carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stages of the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates its efficiency in varying light and temperature conditions, as the plant relies on the enzyme RuBisCO for carbon fixation. Furthermore, the species exhibits a non-carnivorous physiological profile, meaning it lacks specialized mechanisms for the capture or digestion of prey and instead relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients to fulfill its nutritional requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Blitum virgatum is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, though it lacks any recorded asexual reproduction methods. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0005918335 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00056 g to a maximum of 0.00072 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.53 mm³. Self-fertilization is noted as absent in this species. For the dissemination of its offspring, Blitum virgatum employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to transport its seeds to new locations. Additionally, the plant is identified as a monocarp.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00072 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0005918335 g

Seed mass min:

0.00056 g

Seed volume max:

0.53 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Blitum virgatum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-methoxykaempferol, Copper (Cu), D-Apiose, D-glucose, Gomphrenol.

6-methoxykaempferol

1. Natural product research

Copper (Cu)

1. Scientific reports

D-Apiose

1. Natural product research

D-glucose

1. Natural product research

Gomphrenol

1. Natural product research

Iron (Fe)

1. Scientific reports

Isorhamnetin

1. Natural product research

L-rhamnose

1. Natural product research

Patuletin

1. Natural product research

Spinacetin

1. Natural product research

Activities

Blitum virgatum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Immunostimulant.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antiviral

1. Scientific reports

Immunostimulant

1. Natural product research