Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum
Strawberry blite
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum (Strawberry blite) is a native California annual in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by . Key feature: red fleshy flower clusters, strawberry-like.
Strawberry blite is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada, Peninsular Ranges, and White and Inyo Mountains in moist to dry sandy meadows, thickets, and open woodlands at elevations below 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small spherical clusters of tiny green to red flowers that transform into distinctive fleshy red fruits. Growing with spreading branches up to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a delicate, loosely structured form. Its leaves have triangular blades with sharply toothed edges, often shaped with a truncate or heart-shaped base that gives the plant an unusual architectural quality. The edible red fruits cluster tightly, resembling small strawberries and giving the plant its evocative common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species. Key feature: red fleshy flower clusters, strawberry-like
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist to dry, sandy or grassy meadows, thickets, open woodland
Elevation: < 3000 m
Outside California: to northern Canada, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum blooms Jun-Aug.
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 capitatum var. capitatum native to California?
Yes. Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum bloom?
Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum belong to?
Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Chenopodium.
What habitat does Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum grow in?
Chenopodium capitatum var. capitatum grows in Moist to dry, sandy or grassy meadows, thickets, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-09
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.