Chenopodium ficifolium Sm.

Jonsell, B., Karlsson, 2005, Chenopodiaceae - Fumariaceae (Chenopodium), Flora Nordica 2, pp. 4-31 : 18-20

13. Chenopodium ficifolium Sm. Figs 3B, 9D

Smith, Fl. brit. 1: 276 (1800).

- Type: Curtis, FI. londin. ed. 1, vol. 1, fase. 2, t. 16, ill. (1778) lectotype, sei. by Al-Turki & Ghafoor, Feddes Repert. 107: 201 (1996).

D Figenbladet Gåsefod. F viikunanlehtisavikka. N fikenmelde. S fikonmålla.

Therophyte (summer-annual). 20-80 cm. Stem ± subangular, striped with green, rarely with small red spots in the leaf axils, erect; branches short, mainly in the upper part. Leaves usually ± pure light green, farinose especially when young; petiole \ 12-213 as long as the blade; blade 3-lobed or rarely without lobes, 4-8 cm, up to 4.5 cm wide at the widest point; midlobe ± oblong, usually with parallel margins, making up 2/3 (-3/4) of the blade length, up to 1.5 cm wide, coarsely sinuate-serrate to subentire, rarely entire; teeth obtuse (if present); side-lobes conspicuous, forward-projecting, sometimes with a large tooth. Bracts narrowly elliptic to lanceolate; margin usually entire.

Inflorescences terminal, bracteate only in the lowermost parts, richly branched, panicle-like; glomerules small, dense. Flowers mostly bisexual. Tepals 5, connate halfway or more, ± farinose, keeled, often with narrow membranous margin; apex obtuse to acute. Stamens 5. Stigmas 2, 0.5-1 mm. Nut falling with the perianth; pericarp fairly easily detached. Seed horizontal, orbicular in outline, 0.8-1 mm; edge rounded; seed-coat black, glossy, with close pits; pits radially elongated (but more isodiametric near the margin). - Autumn.

[2n=18]

Distribution. Distribution within Norden, see the subspecies.

Europe and Asia (except for the northern parts).

Hybridization. Hybrids of Chenopodium ficifolium subsp.ficifolium are known with C. suecicum .

Similar taxa. Chenopodium ficifolium is similar to C. hircinum (20); for differences see the latter.