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
North America, 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 |