mapleleaf goosefoot

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mapleleaf goosefoot
• sowbane
• Eurasian maple-leaved goosefoot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vulvaria stramoniifolia
• Anserina stramoniifolia
• Botrys hybridus
• Blitum hybridum
• Chenopodium hybridum var. minus
• Chenopodium stramoniifolium
• Chenopodium angulatum
• Chenopodium angulosum
• Chenopodium hybridum
• Atriplex hybrida
• Polycnemum hybridum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Chenopodiastrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Chenopodium hybridum, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of the European continent. Within Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the various landscapes of Denmark. Its presence is also documented throughout the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, the species extends its reach to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Consequently, these five locations define its primary geographical range in this part of the world.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chenopodium hybridum is characterized by its ability to colonize disturbed and high-light environments, demonstrating a preference for open landscapes. It is frequently found in forest openings, where sunlight can penetrate the canopy, as well as along roadsides, where soil disturbance provides ideal conditions for establishment. These habitats typically offer the necessary space and nutrient availability required for the species to thrive in transitional or edge ecosystems.

Habitat :

open, forest open, roadside

Life history

The life history of Chenopodium hybridum 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 the unfavorable seasons primarily through highly resilient seeds that remain dormant in the soil until conditions become favorable for regrowth. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its physiological cycle or in response to seasonal changes. Its growth strategy as a therophyte ensures a rapid colonization of available habitats, relying on a swift reproductive phase to secure the next generation before the onset of senescence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Chenopodium hybridum is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, appearing as a non-woody herb. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat and functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its physical stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as a vine or liana. Its height is variable, with a minimum recorded height of 0.15 m, a maximum height of 1 m, and an average plant height of approximately 0.381 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.381 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chenopodium hybridum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic mechanisms and soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of organic matter. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 23.3675 cm², contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 359.03 cm²/g, a value that reflects the structural investment of its leaf tissue and its capacity for light interception and gas exchange relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

23.3675 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

359.03 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chenopodiastrum hybridum is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being entirely absent. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through September. Pollination is facilitated by abiotic mechanisms, specifically through a wind-driven pollination syndrome. While the plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, its reproductive cycle results in the production of fruit categorized as an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, protecting the seeds within. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0015483335 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00145 g to a maximum of 0.00216 g. Regarding the movement of offspring, the plant utilizes an anthropochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily spread via human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00216 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0015483335 g

Seed mass min:

0.00145 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chenopodiastrum hybridum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Chenopodiastrum hybridum has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences