Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3083838

Common Lambsquarters

Chenopodium album

Also known as White Goosefoot, Wild Spinach, Fat-Hen, Melde

Common lambsquarters is an adaptable, fast-growing annual herb recognized by its diamond-shaped, pale blue-green leaves covered in a powdery mealy coating. It thrives in rich, disturbed soils across sunny gardens, agricultural fields, and waste areas, producing thousands of long-lived seeds per plant. The inconspicuous greenish flower clusters bloom throughout summer, supporting diverse specialized insects while helping stabilize loose topsoil.

AnnualWeedDisturbed Soil
Common Lambsquarters reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Leafminers
  • Aphids
  • Flea Beetles
ThreatsHerbicides, intensive land management
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, roadsides, disturbed soils, waste places
Life spanAnnual (1 year)
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyAmaranthaceae
  3. GenusChenopodium
  4. SpeciesChenopodium album
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains soluble calcium oxalates toxic to pets if ingested in quantity; safe to observe at normal distance.
Why it is dangerous
Contains soluble calcium oxalates and nitrates that cause kidney distress or toxic reactions in pets if ingested in quantity.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for erect stems with mealy white powder on young upper leaves and tight green flower spikes.
What to do
Keep pets from grazing on wild stands, and observe the plant without harvesting or ingesting.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Inspection: Look closely at young upper leaves to notice the powdery, mealy bloom on their undersides.
  • Soil Indicator: Watch for dense patches growing in high-nitrogen, recently turned garden beds or fields.
Related species
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