Alternative Names. Common Lambsquarters.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life
form. Annual. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Birds,
machinery, soil movement, wind (small distances only). Toxicity. In
nitrogen-rich soils can concentrate hydrogen cyanide. Seedbank persistence.
20-40 years.
Notes. Infestations may be very dense and compete vigorously
with other plants. Prefers disturbed highly organic nitrate-rich soil and
requires bare ground for establishment and persistence. Flowers are
hermaphrodite (have both male and female parts) and are wind-pollinated. Rain,
nitrate and light promote germination. Several generations may occur in one
season due to rapid growth and seed production. Strongly allelopathic, capable
of reducing germination and growth of other species. Exhibits great
morphological plasticity and is able to adapt to different environments
including shade by delaying seed set, growing taller and having greater leaf
area. Produces a high proportion of dormant seed with no special dispersal
mechanism.
Additional information. History of use/introduction.
Medicines, dyes, food. Similar exotic species. Chenopodium
murale.
Suggested method of management and control. Manual removal,
particularly when plants are young, is effective due to shallow root systems,
and can be done up to stem elongation and before seeding in summer. Highly
susceptible to mowing/slashing before flowering. Relatively tolerant to many
herbicides and any sub-lethal rates of herbicide will result in the same high
seed germination rates as unsprayed plants. Read the manufacturers' labels and
material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information
consult the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of
permits for your situation or state.
Management Calendar
Calendar Type |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Comments |
Germination |
O |
O |
O |
Y |
Y |
Y |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
|
Active Growth |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Flowering |
O |
O |
Y |
Y |
O |
|
|
|
O |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Fruiting |
Y |
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
|
Optimum Treatment |
O |
O |
O |
O |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
O |
|
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly,
O = Occasionally, U =
Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
References
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Chenopodium album L. Canadian Journal of Plant Science,
58: 1061-1072.
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germination of seeds of Chenopodium album L. Annals of
Botany, 72: 463-473.
- Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to
their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
- Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to
their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
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Chenopodium ambrosioides. Cornell University URL: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/index.html
- Accessed August 2010.
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Perths bushlands (eds. M. Scheltema and J. Harris). Greening Western
Australia, Perth.
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Chenopodium ambrosiodes on germination and seedling growth of some
cultivated and weed plants. Global Journal of Biotechnology,
2 (1): 1-9.
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(2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd
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(2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd
Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
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Chenopodium album L. water extract on higher plants. American
Journal of Plant Physiology, 2 (3): 221-226.
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Allelopathic activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Biochemical
Systematics and Ecology, 24 (3): 195-205.
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from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. on receptors. Southwest China
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album adaptive traits in response to light and temperature stresses.
Weed Research, 48: 552-560.
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control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
- Plants for a Future (Undated) Chenopodium album - L. Fat Hen. URL:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Chenopodium+album
- Accessed April 2010.
- Rezaie, F. (2009) Allelopathic effects of Chenopodium album,
Amaranthus retroflexus and Cynodon dactylon on germination and
growth of safflower. Journal of Food and Agriculture & Environment,
7 (2): 516-521.
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Germination behaviour of seeds from herbicide treated plants of Chenopodium
album L. Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences,
81 (4): 873-879.
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Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) in glyphosate-resistant Soybean.
Weed Technology, 22 (4): 628-634.
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Ecology, 51 (3): 711-725.