Red Goosefoot

Red Goosefoot, Studland, Dorset

Flower spike

Close-up of flowers, each with
5 perianth segments

Fruiting flower spike with seeds

Close-up of reddish-brown seeds

Lower leaves

Upper leaves

Ridged stem
Chenopodium rubrum
Amaranthaceae
August to October
It is found throughout the country except for parts of
the Northwest and the far Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Red Goosefoot
It grows on waste ground, bare farm land such as
gateways, tracks and manure heaps, in organic
mud by ponds and ditches, and in drier saltmarshes
and dune slacks.
It is on the increase.
Red Goosefoot is a native, annual, usually reddish,
prostrate or erect herb, growing up to 80cm.
The small petalless flowers are in dense spikes.
Stamens and styles (not shown here) are in the
same flower.
The 5 perianth segments (sepals) are green,
turning deep red, and fused to half way over the seeds.
The seeds are dark red-brown.
Leaves are up to 5cm, roughly diamond-shaped and
variously toothed.
Stems are ridged and green to red.
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Next page: Red Bistort
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