Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3083920

Pitseed Goosefoot

Chenopodium berlandieri

Also known as Huauzontle, Berlandier's Goosefoot, Pitseed Lambsquarters

Pitseed goosefoot is an upright annual herb recognized by its variable goosefoot-shaped leaves and a fine, mealy coating on fresh growth. Indigenous peoples of eastern North America domesticated forms of this plant thousands of years ago as a grain and vegetable crop. Today, wild populations thrive in sunny, disturbed soils across the continent, while cultivated varieties like huauzontle remain prominent in traditional agriculture.

AnnualHerbaceousNative
Pitseed Goosefoot reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Caterpillars
  • Plant bugs
  • Granivorous birds
ThreatsHerbicide application, intensive land cultivation
HabitatsDisturbed ground, roadsides, agricultural fields, riverbanks
Life span1 year (Annual)
Classification
  1. FamilyAmaranthaceae
  2. SpeciesChenopodium berlandieri
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Inspection: Look for a powdery white mealy coating on young leaves and stems.
  • Habitat Spotting: Search in disturbed soils, cultivated fields, and sunny roadsides.
  • Seed Identification: Examine mature seedheads in autumn to see tiny pitted black seeds.
Related species
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