Narrowleaf Goosefoot
Chenopodium leptophyllum
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © tanisg (iNaturalist #243708758)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Chenopodium
- Species:
- Chenopodium leptophyllum
- USDA Symbol:
- CHLE4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- 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)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that colonizes disturbed and burned areas; tolerates fire disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in disturbed areas and open sites
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI