Chenopodium rubrum
Sp. Pl. 1: 218. 1753.
Stems erect to ascending or prostrate, much-branched, 0.1–6(–8) dm, glabrous. Leaves non-aromatic; petiole 0.05–0.45 cm; blade triangular to rhombic, 1–9 × 1–6 cm, base cuneate, margins dentate or entire, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescences lateral glomerules sessile on lateral branched spikes; glomerules subglobose, 2–5 mm diam.; bracts linear, 0.4–2 cm. Flowers: perianth segments 3 or 4, usually connate only at base; lobes lanceolate to elliptic, 0.8–1 × 0.4–0.8 mm, membranaceous, apex broadly acute to rounded, occasionally deeply retuse, rounded or occasionally keeled, glabrous, green and covering fruit at maturity; stamens 2–3; stigmas 2, 0.1 mm. Utricles ovoid; pericarp nonadherent, reticulate-punctate. Seeds vertical and occasionally horizontal, ovoid, 0.6–1(–1.2) mm diam., margins rounded; seed coat reddish brown, smooth. 2n = 18.
Distribution
Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., N.S., N.W.T., Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon, Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Conn., Idaho, Ill., Iowa, Kans., Maine, Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., N.Dak., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., Nebr., Nev., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.Dak., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo., Europe.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Vertical seeds 0.6-0.8(-1) mm diam.; stems erect or ascending, 1.5-6(-8) dm; leaf blade margins deeply dentate | Chenopodium rubrum var. rubrum |
| 1 | Vertical seeds 0.8-1(-1.2) mm diam.; stems prostrate or spreading, 0.1-1.8 dm; leaf blade margins entire or shallowly dentate | Chenopodium rubrum var. humile |