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Published In: Atlantic Journal 1(4): 146. 1832. (Atlantic J.) Name publication detail
 

Project Name Data (Last Modified On 8/11/2017)
Acceptance : Accepted
Project Data     (Last Modified On 7/9/2009)
Status: Native

 

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18. Chenopodium simplex (Torr.) Raf. (maple-leaved goosefoot)

C. gigantospermum Aellen

Pl. 355 l, m; Map 1538

Plants annual, without an odor. Stems 30–150 cm long, erect or ascending, several-branched above the base, glabrous or sparsely white-mealy, green. Leaves short- to long-petiolate. Leaf blades 3–15 cm long (the largest 7–18 cm), mostly 1.2–2.5 times as long as wide (2–9 cm wide), ovate to broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, sharply pointed at the tip, mostly rounded, truncate, or shallowly cordate at the base, green, relatively thin and herbaceous in texture, the margins with relatively few broad, coarse teeth or (in the uppermost leaves) entire to slightly wavy, the surfaces glabrous or less commonly sparsely white-mealy. Venation noticeably branched, with mostly 3 or 5 main veins. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, consisting of short spikes with small clusters of flowers, these mostly grouped into relatively large, bractless panicles. Flowers not all maturing at the same time. Calyx 5-lobed to below the midpoint, extending past the widest part of the fruit but not reaching the stylar area, leaving much of the portion of the fruit above the rim exposed at maturity, the lobes 0.7–1.0 mm long, lanceolate to ovate, rounded or bluntly pointed at the tip, flat to slightly rounded or narrowly and shallowly keeled dorsally, glabrous or sparsely white-mealy. Stamens 5. Stigmas 2. Fruits 1.5–2.5 mm wide, depressed-ovoid, the seeds positioned horizontally, the wall thin but papery, and somewhat yellowish, smooth, usually easily separated from the seed. Seeds black, shiny, smooth, bluntly angled along the rim. 2n=36. June–October.

Scattered nearly throughout the state, but absent or uncommon in portions of the southeastern quarter (U.S., Canada). Bases and ledges of bluffs, bottomland forests, mesic upland forests in ravines, and edges of loess hill prairies; also old fields, fencerows, roadsides, railroads, and shaded, disturbed areas.

The prevalence of this species along bluff bases at or near prehistoric shelter sites has given rise to speculation that the relatively large fruits were harvested for food by aboriginal midwesterners. The species apparently is part of a circumboreal complex, with the Old World component referred to as C. hybridum L. (Bassett and Crompton, 1982; McGregor, 1986a).

 


 

 
 
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