Useful Nova Scotia Plants

Plants

Lamb's Quarters

Common name

Lamb's Quarters

Latin name

Chenopodium album

Characters

Tallish annual standing 1 m, branching freely, with triangular or ovate leaves. Green on the upper surface, they may be whitish or mealy below. Flowers are green, without petals.

Habit

Herb

Edible Portion

Leaves

Habitat

Wasteland, disturbed soil, edges, old gardens, new gardens. Weedy.

Geography

Very common

Used For

Young leaves delicious added to salad; older leaves may be steamed or cooked like spinach

Notes

Relative of spinach, beets and swiss chard
Photo: Martin Thomas