Fig-leaf goosefoot (Chenopodium ficifolium, Fl. Brit. 1: 276 (1800))

Family: Amaranthaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Fl. Brit. 1: 276 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chenopodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Korea and N. Indo-China

Description

The Fig-leaf goosefoot, scientifically known as Chenopodium ficifolium, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. First documented in “Flora Britannica” in 1800 by author Sm., the plant derives its common name from its distinctive foliage, which bears a resemblance to fig leaves.

Predominantly found across Europe, the Fig-leaf goosefoot has a wide geographical range extending to Korea and Northern Indo-China. This distribution indicates its adaptability to various climates and environmental conditions, making it a resilient species within its native and introduced habitats.

As a member of the Amaranthaceae family, Chenopodium ficifolium is related to a diverse group of plants known for their hardiness and often nutritional value. The family includes many species that thrive in a variety of settings, which might contribute to the wide dispersion of the Fig-leaf goosefoot.

Understanding the growth habits, beneficial uses, and ecological roles of the Fig-leaf goosefoot can provide deeper insights into its significance. Botanists and ecologists study plants like Chenopodium ficifolium to learn more about their role in local ecosystems, their potential benefits to humans or agriculture, and their adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Overall, Chenopodium ficifolium stands as a notable example of botanical diversity, showcasing the intricate relationships within the plant kingdom and the importance of documenting and studying these species thoroughly.

Common Names

Heb: caf-avaz, כף
Deu: feigenblättriger gänsefuss, feigenblättriger gänsefuß
Eng: fig-leaved goosefoot, figleaf goosefoot, fig-leaf goosefoot, fig-leaved lamb’s-quarters
Dan: figenbladet gåsefod
Fra: chénopode à feuilles de figuier
Nob: fikenmelde
Nno: fikenmelde
Swe: fikonmålla, viikunanlehtisavikka, fikonbladsmålla
Ces: merlík fíkolistý
Nld: stippelganzenvoet
Fin: viikunanlehtisavikka
Lav: vīģlapain
Cym: troed yr ŵydd ffigys-ddail, troed-yr-ŵydd dail ffigys
En: Fig-leaf goosefoot, Figleaf goosefoot, Fig-leaved Goosefoot, Fig-leaved lamb’s-quarters
Zh: Xiao li, 小藜
Cs: Merlík fíkolistý
Da: Figenbladet gåsefod
Nl: Stippelganzenvoet, Stippelganzevoet
Et: Viigilehine hanemalts
Fi: Viikunanlehtisavikka, Viikunasavikka
Fr: Chénopode à feuilles de figuier, Chénopode tardif
De: Feigenblättriger Gänsefuß, Feigenblattrige Gänsefuß, Feigenblättriger Gänsefuss
He: Caf-avaz, כף
Is: Fíkjunjóli
It: Farinello con foglie di fico, Farinello a foglie di fico
Ko: 좀명아주
Lv: Vīģlapain
No: Fikenmelde
Nb: Fikenmelde
Nn: Fikenmelde
Pl: Komosa jesienna
Es: Quenopodio con hojas de chumbera
Sv: Fikonmålla, Viikunanlehtisavikka, Fikonbladsmålla
Zh-tw: 小藜
Cy: Troed-yr-ŵydd dail ffigys, Troed yr Ŵydd Ffigys-Ddail

Synonyms

• Chenopodium album var. ficifolium ((Sm.) Fiori)
• Chenopodium album subsp. ficifolium ((Sm.) Hook.f.)
• Chenopodium ficifolium subsp. blomianum ((Aellen) Aellen)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. erectum (Gray)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. albovenosum (F.Dvořák)
• Chenopodium blomianum (Aellen)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. indicola (Aellen)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. rubescens ((Aellen) F.Dvořák)
• Chenopodium populifolium (Moq.)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. subcymosum ((Aellen) F.Dvořák)
• Chenopodium filifolium (Krock.)
• Chenopodium ficifolium var. coronatum (Beauge)
• Anserina ficifolia ((Sm.) Montandon)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krym (native)
• Laos (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 13, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Loch Angela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Burgospain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Helga Kautsch (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Feya Sterling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by queti blanco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2020 by 🌷 Ирина (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2022 by Carlos Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2022 by Maanya (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by liliane marabotto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by claudia aßmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Feya Sterling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 23, 2022 by Madeleine Beaton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by P. Sonja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Dávid Pénzes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Ortiz Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Anderson Cruz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2022 by jonawel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Jp Perez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3083862)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:164928-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chenopodium ficifolium Sm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7