Chapters 6.20
6.20 - Lambsquarters - Goosefoot (Chenopodium album)
Khloee Eisler , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Eisler,K. (2022) Greens, Fleshy Stems and Gourds. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Background
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) is a member of the goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) family and is native to Western Asia as well as parts of Europe (Bajwa et al, 2019). Overtime, lambsquarters has adapted to a variety of conditions so it is now found globally between the latitudes of 70 degrees north and 50 degrees south (Medina, 1996). It is identified by its broad, triangular leaves and bundles of green flowers in later stages (Figure 1; Bajwa et al, 2019). Today, lambsquarters is considered a weed by agronomical and horticultural producers since it is a competitive plant species that interferes with crop yield, and is therefore sprayed (Bajwa et al, 2019). But, interestingly enough, lambsquarters actually has nutritional and medicinal benefits which used to be taken advantage of by some North American Indigenous Tribes (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991).
Lambsquarters reproduction and life stages
Lambsquarters is a summer annual plant which propagates by the millions of seeds that the mature plant develops in the previous fall (Medina, 1996). When it first emerges from the ground in the spring, lambsquarters has two long cotyledons (Figure 2; Lackman and Schat, 2016). As it develops, true leaves form which are broad and triangular (Lackman and Schat, 2016). Depending on the plant, they may be purplish and covered with white nutrient particles from the
ground (Figure 3; Lackman and Schat, 2016). The majority of the leaves that a mature lambsquarters plant has are broad triangle-shaped with jagged edges, but the leaves closer to the top have a more slim, oval shape (Figure 4; Lackman and Schat, 2016). At maturity, the lambsquarter plants are between 2 to 6 feet, depending on surrounding competition (Lackman and Schat, 2016). Its small green flowers develop throughout the summer and early fall as clusters at the tips of its stem and branches (Bajwa et al, 2019). Lambsquarter plants reproduce through wind pollination and are therefore able to either self or cross pollinate (Medina, 1996). These flowers turn into smooth, black, or brown seeds (Figure 5; Medina, 1996). Contrary to the black seeds, the brown seeds germinate readily depending on the light, water, and air conditions (Medina 1996).
Growing season: length, conditions and habitat
Lambsquarters has a growing season of 30-200 days and it is most often found in open spaces including fields and gardens (Medina, 1996). It has high biotic and abiotic stress tolerances (Bajwa et al, 2019). Therefore, it is able to grow and thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions, which includes ranging pH, structure, and temperature (Bajwa et al, 2019). It also adapts to varying amounts of precipitation (Bajwa et al, 2019). This being said, its optimal growing conditions include precipitation ranging between 30cm and 325cm, temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius, and acidic, well drained soils (Medina, 1996). The biotic and abiotic stresses that lambsquarters is able to overcome are owed to numerous properties it has, such as high seed production, and a quick lifecycle (Bajwa et al, 2019). Additionally, since the black seeds produced by lambsquarters are dormant, they are able to survive harsh weather conditions and germinate when they become more favorable (Bajwa et al, 2019).
Nutritional and medicinal benefits
The lambsquarters leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein (Phillips et al, 2014). Medicinally, the leaves of lambsquarters can be chewed to create a paste which has the ability to treat skin irritations (Medicinal Herb Info, 2021). Consuming or brewing the leaves can also help soothe stomach-aches, treat diarrhea, and its high nutrient composition would also help defend against scurvy (Medicinal Herb Info, 2021).
Associated indigenous peoples and their agricultural history
Indigenous peoples across North America used to take advantage of the nutritional and medicinal benefits of lambsquarters in their daily lives (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). Some tribes who used lambsquarters include: the Ojibwa, Iroquois, Blackfoot and Chilcotin tribes (Kuhnlein and
Turner, 1991). The Ojibwa and Iroquois peoples resided near the Great Lakes (Figure 6; Schmalz, 1991). The Blackfoot tribe was located near the border of the prairies and the United States (Figure 6; Farr, 2001). The Chilcotin tribe resided in the British Columbia area (Figure 6; Turner & Loewen, 1998).
Historically, the Indigenous peoples had much success with their agriculture until they were required to use the methods enforced by the newfound Canadian government (Dawson, 2003). It is believed that the root of their failure was ultimately because the Canadian government demanded control but lacked understanding on factors such as the growing requirements of different crops in different areas (Dawson, 2003). For example, in the prairies, the government would assign officials to overlook agricultural production and teach farming methods to Indigenous peoples (Dawson, 2003). But since the officials did not know anything about farming in the prairies, the crops were not always successful (Dawson, 2003). In general, the assimilation forced onto the Indigenous peoples was detrimental as their native crops, such as lambsquarters, were no longer permitted to be produced, and the crops that were allowed to be produced took a while before they became successful (Dawson, 2003).
Associated indigenous peoples and their historical significance with lambsquarters
When it came to lambsquarters, the associated tribes would gather it from nearby or would grow it themselves (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). At its earlier stage, Indigenous tribes, such as the Ojibwa peoples, would use the leaves as a potherb and the seeds to make bread (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). When the leaves were boiled, the protein content would be enhanced which enriched the protein content of their meals (Phillips et al, 2014). It was also used to feed domestic animals by the Chilcotin tribe for example, and the seeds and leaves of lambsquarters were sometimes consumed as they came by the Blackfoot peoples (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). Historically, Indigenous peoples would also take advantage of the medical properties of lambsquarters such as to treat stomach problems and skin irritations (Medicinal Herb Info, 2021).
Limitations of lambsquarters
As a whole, lambsquarters results in yield loss among neighboring plant species, especially when present before the other plants have emerged from the ground (Sarabi et al, 2011). Its allelopathic properties and competitive nature suppress the germination and growth of surrounding plants (Bajwa et al, 2019). Additionally, since the height of lambsquarters is variable depending on surrounding plants, it is able to increase its height in order to compete with the other plants (Bajwa et al, 2019). It uses the same tactic with its root system so that it can absorb an optimal amount of nutrients to support its competitive growth (Bajwa et al, 2019). Moreover, lambsquarters harbors diseases and pests which migrate onto and infect the neighboring plants also resulting in yield loss (Bajwa et al, 2019). Furthermore, if lambsquarters is not controlled before it is pollinated, the spread of its millions of seeds will readily infect and take over the rest of the garden or field. (Bajwa et al, 2019) This will make it hard for other plants to prosper since increasing the amount of lambsquarters in the field decreases the amount of crops that are able to grow (Figure 7; Sarabi et al, 2011).
References
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