Chenopodium nitens
Family: Amaranthaceae · Native
Chenopodium nitens is a native California plant in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by Only prostrate, mat-forming Chenopodium in CA; small entire leaves; Modoc Plateau (MP).
Chenopodium nitens is a California native growing in the Modoc Plateau bioregion in sagebrush scrub and sandy places from 700 to 3,500 meters elevation. It flowers from May to September, forming mostly prostrate mats up to about 3 decimeters across with small, powdery, trullate to lance-shaped leaves, and produces a flattened fruit with a glossy, shallowly cobblestone-like black seed coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only prostrate, mat-forming Chenopodium in CA; small entire leaves; Modoc Plateau (MP)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, sandy places
Elevation: 700--3500 m
Outside California: to Alaska, North Dakota, Texas, Arizona
Bloom period
Chenopodium nitens blooms May--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 nitens native to California?
Yes. Chenopodium nitens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chenopodium nitens bloom?
Chenopodium nitens blooms May--Sep.
What plant family does Chenopodium nitens belong to?
Chenopodium nitens is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Chenopodium.
What habitat does Chenopodium nitens grow in?
Chenopodium nitens grows in Sagebrush scrub, sandy places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora
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.