Lambsquarters
Chenopodium album
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Verde, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hainan, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Kuwait, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Ogasawara-shoto, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Chenopodium
- Species:
- Chenopodium album
- USDA Symbol:
- CHAL7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis), Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata), Bidens borer (Epiblema otiosana), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Chrysoesthia lingulacella, Coleophora lineapulvella, Common Looper Moth (Autographa precationis), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja), Grey arches (Polia nebulosa), Holomelina aurantiaca, Hyppa xylinoides, nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Omiodes Leafroller (Omiodes simialis), Ornate Tiger Moth (Grammia ornata), Parthenice tiger moth (Grammia parthenice), Scrobipalpa atriplicella, Scrobipalpula artemisiella, Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), Spilosoma congrua, stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), T-moth (Emmelina monodactyla), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Wandering Tiger Moth (Spilosoma vagans), Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis), Hayhurst's scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis) Moths:Chrysoesthia sexguttella, Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica) Butterflies:Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in disturbed areas and fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil without pretreatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI