Chenopodium

Chenopodium, a genus of Chenopodiaceæ, of which some of the common species are well known by the name of Goosefoot, as weeds growing in gardens, on heaps of rubbish, and in waste places. The species are mostly annuals, with entire or toothed leaves, often with a sort of mealy hoariness, and are widely distributed, or becoming naturalised in all climates. The leaves of many species are used as a substitute for spinach, particularly those of the Good Harry, Wild Spinach, Allgood, or English Mercury (C. bonus-Henricus), a common wayside perennial, which is still sometimes cultivated; the young shoots are also used as asparagus. C. album (Pigweed), an annual common in waste places, has been largely used in Russia in time of famine. C. Vulvaria (Stinking Goosefoot), an annual with an odour compared to that of stale salt fish, growing in waste places, especially near the sea, was formerly in popular repute as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue. C. purpurascens (Atriplex) is a handsome annual introduced from China. C. Botrys, a native of the south of Europe, with pinnatifid leaves resembling those of the oak, and hence called Jerusalem Oak, is in use as an expectorant and anthelmintic. It is agreeably fragrant. C. ambrosioides has a strong aromatic odour, is used in Mexico instead of tea, and is occasionally cultivated in France, an infusion of it being deemed useful in nervous disorders. The closely allied C. anthelminticum, the Wormseed of the United States, has a strong and somewhat aromatic odour, and a high reputation as a vermifuge, due to the presence of an essential oil. More important than any of the species, as affording a principal article of food in the countries of which it is a native, is Quinoa (q.v.).