Chenopodium littoreum
Coastal goosefoot
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Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chenopodium littoreum (Coastal goosefoot) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by very limited coastal dune habitat <40m elevation, mat-forming habit.
Coastal goosefoot is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central Coast bioregions in sandy coastal dunes at elevations below 40 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces small green flowers in axillary and terminal spikes 5 to 15 centimeters long. Growing with prostrate to ascending stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, forming mat-like clusters that emerge from the base. Its fleshy leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, 12 to 20 millimeters long, with a tapered base and acute to rounded tip, nearly glabrous on the upper surface and lightly powdery underneath. The tiny dark brown seeds are horizontally positioned and finely wrinkled, with a rounded margin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species - very limited coastal dune habitat <40m elevation, mat-forming habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally sandy soils, dunes
Elevation: < 40 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Chenopodium littoreum blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 littoreum native to California?
Yes. Chenopodium littoreum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chenopodium littoreum bloom?
Chenopodium littoreum blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Chenopodium littoreum grow?
Chenopodium littoreum occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 40 m.
What plant family does Chenopodium littoreum belong to?
Chenopodium littoreum is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Chenopodium.
Is Chenopodium littoreum rare or endangered?
Chenopodium littoreum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.