Description: This native plant is
a summer annual up to 4' tall that usually branches abundantly. The lanky stems
are erect, ascending, or sprawling (especially the latter if they become
entangled with vines). In addition, the stems are light green, glabrous or
sparingly white-mealy, and terete or somewhat angular; smaller stems are often
finely striated (with many narrow ridges). The alternate leaves are up to
2½" long and 1/3" across; the lower and middle leaves are lanceolate or
lanceolate-oblong, while the upper leaves are linear. The leaf margins are
smooth or slightly undulate; some of the lower leaves may have 1 or 2 obtuse
basal lobes. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and
glabrous, while its lower surface has the same characteristics; however, some
of the uppermost leaves may be slightly white-mealy on the lower surface. Each
leaf has a prominent central vein, and some of the larger leaves may have a
pair of lateral veins that are conspicuous. The slender petioles of the leaves
are up to one-third the length of the blades. The upper stems terminate in
elongated panicles of flowers up to 6" long; these flowers are organized into
tight clusters along the branches of each panicle. There are also non-terminal
spikes of flowers that originate from the axils of the upper leaves. The
branches of each inflorescence are more or less white-mealy. Each flower is up
to 1/8" across, consisting of 5 sepals, 5 stamens, no petals, and a pair of
short styles above the ovary. The sepals are green, yellowish green, or
purplish green, and more or less white-mealy. The blooming period occurs from
mid-summer into the fall and can last 1-2 months for an individual plant. The
flowers are wind-pollinated. Each flower develops a single small seed about 1
mm. across; the persistent sepals barely cover the upper sides of this seed.
Each seed is flattened and round; it is covered by a thin papery membrane that
is easy to remove. Once this membrane is removed, the surface of the seed is
smooth, shiny, and black. The root system consists of a branching taproot. This
plant reproduces by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun or
dappled sunlight, mesic to slightly dry conditions, and soil that is loamy or
rocky. The size and growth habit of this plant is variable, depending on
environmental conditions.
Range &
Habitat: Woodland Goosefoot occurs occasionally throughout Illinois
(see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, rocky
bluffs, and partially shaded roadsides.
Disturbance that
reduces the overhead tree canopy may benefit populations of this plant in
wooded areas.
Faunal Associations:
The caterpillars of the skippers Pholisora catullus (Common Sootywing)
and Staphylus hayhurstii (Hayhurst's Scallopwing) feed on the foliage of
Chenopodium spp. (Goosefoots), as do the caterpillars of the moths
Amyna octo (Eight-Spot), Blepharomastix ranalis (Pyralid Moth
sp.), Emmelina monodactyla (Plume Moth sp.), Grammia virgo
(Virgin Tiger Moth), and Mamestra configurata (Bertha Armyworm). Some
gamebirds and many granivorous songbirds eat the seeds of Goosefoots (see the
Bird Table for a listing of
these species). Livestock (e.g., pigs & sheep) eat the foliage of
Goosefoots; young plants are occasionally eaten by rabbits.
Photographic Location: A thicket in Urbana,
Illinois. To some extent, neighboring vines smothered this plant and caused its
stems to sprawl.
Comments: Woodland
Goosefoot is one of the few Chenopodium spp. (Goosefoots) that is native
to Illinois. This plant is rather weedy in appearance, but it shouldn't be
destroyed unnecessarily. In general, the different species of Goosefoots are
difficult to distinguish from each other. Woodland Goosefoot differs from the
others by the following combination of characteristics: 1) It has narrow
lanceolate leaves, 2) the lower surface of its leaves is usually as dark and
glabrous as the upper surface, and 3) the thin papery membranes covering its
seeds are easy to remove. Other Goosefoots have wider leaves, and/or the lower
surface of their leaves is more pale and white-mealy, and/or the thin papery
membranes covering their seeds are persistent and difficult to remove. Other
Goosefoots with narrow leaves (e.g., Chenopodium lanceolatum,
Chenopodium dessicatum, and Chenopodium pratericola) usually
occur in sunnier habitats than Woodland Goosefoot. However, the lower surface
of their leaves is conspicuously white-mealy. Detailed descriptions and
illustrations of the various Goosefoots in Illinois can be found in Mohlenbrock
(2001).