XStrawberry Blite (Chenopodium capitatum)X
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Strawberry Blite -or- Strawberry Goosefoot -or- Blite Goosefoot (Chenopodium capitatum), family Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot)
In addition to this plants wide distribution throughout North America, where it is a native, Blite Goosefoot is also found in parts of New Zealand and Europe. The plants are annuals. Another latin name is Blitum capitatum. The flowers of Blite Goosefoot have both male and female parts (hermaphrodites) and are pollinated by wind.
USES: From the website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of this species by Native Americans: Navajo, Kayenta Plant used as a lotion for head bruises and black eyes. Potawatomi Juice of seeds and infusion of plant used for lung congestion. Fruit heads used as rouge to paint on clan marks or to heighten the color of cheeks and lips. Alaska Native Leaves properly cooked and used as a good source of vitamins C and A. Young, tender leaves used in raw salad mixture or cooked like garden spinach. Gosiute Seeds used for food. Thompson Plant tops mashed with a little water and used to make ink to write with. Calyx crushed and red stain/paint used on the face, body, clothes, wood and skins. Tanana Berries used by children as paint by rubbing it on what they wished to color.
The website Plants For A Future warns: People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition. This is due to the presence of oxalic acid or saponins. That said, cooking reduces these substances. They are also more harmful when consumed in greater quantities.
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Plant location: Sighted while hiking in Staunton State Park - Colorado - on September 14, 2014.
The plants are found in the following United States: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, WV, WY. They are classified as endangered in the state of Ohio.Plant -
Bloom season: May through October, with the flowers seeds ripening starting in August depending on location. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Not a shade grower. It wants a moist soil.
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