Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei
Pit seed goosefoot
(c) Michael Hermann, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei (Pit seed goosefoot) is a native California annual in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by . Key feature: yellow style base, larger seeds than var. sinuatum.
Pit seed goosefoot is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province in disturbed areas, ocean bluffs, and sandy washes at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small inconspicuous flowers with yellow-based styles. Growing with branching stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads in open disturbed landscapes. Its leaves are typically triangular to diamond-shaped, varying in size along the stem from lower to upper branches. The seeds are distinctive, measuring 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters in diameter with a subtle yellow style base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species. Key feature: yellow style base, larger seeds than var. sinuatum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, ocean bluffs, sandy washes
Elevation: < 2200 m
Outside California: to Canada, western and central United States
Bloom period
Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Chenopodiastrum: Chenopodium has mealy coating; Chenopodiastrum is smooth to slightly hairy without mealy texture.; vs Atriplex: Chenopodium has perfect flowers; Atriplex has separate male/female flowers with paired bracts on fruits.; vs Blitum: Chenopodium has dry fruits; Blitum has fleshy, berry-like fruiting calyxes.; vs Amaranthus: Chenopodium has mealy coating; Amaranthus is smooth with dense bristly flower spikes.; vs Rumex: Chenopodium has 5-parted flowers in clusters; Rumex has 6-parted flowers in whorls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei native to California?
Yes. Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei bloom?
Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei belong to?
Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Chenopodium.
What habitat does Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei grow in?
Chenopodium berlandieri var. zschackei grows in Disturbed areas, ocean bluffs, sandy washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.