Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium
Manyseed goosefoot
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium (Manyseed goosefoot) is a non-native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by limited distribution, leaves turn red, only 2 stamens, European introduction.
Manyseed goosefoot is a naturalized annual found in northern coastal California and the Sierra Nevada eastern slopes in sandy soils at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering in September, this plant produces small inconspicuous flowers densely arranged in branched axillary and terminal spikes. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with prostrate lower branches and upright upper stems, it develops elliptic to oblong leaves that turn reddish with age. Its leaf blades measure 15 to 40 millimeters long, with tapered or rounded bases and acute tips, appearing glabrous or slightly powdery underneath. The tiny horizontal seeds are less than one millimeter in diameter, with a shiny black seed coat that has a minutely wrinkled texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species - limited distribution, leaves turn red, only 2 stamens, European introduction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to Oregon, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium blooms 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 polyspermum var. acutifolium native to California?
No. Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium bloom?
Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium blooms Sep.
What plant family does Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium belong to?
Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Chenopodium.
What habitat does Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium grow in?
Chenopodium polyspermum var. acutifolium grows in Sandy soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.