Chenopodium fremontii

Chenopodium fremontii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae known by the common name Frémont's goosefoot. Both the species' specific epithet, and the common name derive from the 19th century western pioneer John C. Frémont. It is native to much of the western half of North America from Canada through California to Mexico. It grows in many types of habitat from open desert, to shady forest, at 700–3,100 metres (2,300–10,200 ft).

Description

An annual herb. It grows 50-80 cm tall. It has a powdery coating. The leaves are 4 cm long. They are oval or triangle shaped and have a few lobes. The flowering shoot is a spike with tightly packed small flowers. Each flower has 5 lobes.

Edible Uses

Leaves are poor and highly acrid. Seeds are excellent—nutritious, easy to harvest, delicious, and historically significant. One of the most valuable wild edible seed plants in the western United States. Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used like spinach. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - cooked. Ground into a meal and used with water as a mush, or mixed with cereal flours in making bread etc[46, 60, 61, 95, 105, 161, 257]. The seed is small and fiddly, about 1mm in diameter, it should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins. Edible Uses & Rating: The leaves and seeds are technically edible, but the leaves are extremely low-quality and strongly acrid. The seeds, however, are excellent—among the finest produced by any wild North American plant. They were a major food resource for many Indigenous groups of the Southwest and remain one of the best wild grains available today. Fremont’s goosefoot ranks as a high-value edible, especially for seeds, placing it in the top tier of wild desert grains alongside pitseed goosefoot and slimleaf goosefoot. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: The fresh leaves are unpleasant, with a salty, acrid, burning flavour that cooking does little to improve. The seeds, by contrast, are superb. Freshly dried seeds taste very similar to quinoa—nutty, mild, and slightly earthy. They soften quickly when boiled and absorb flavours readily. Toasting enhances sweetness and nuttiness, while boiling yields a soft porridge or grain base. Seeds can also be ground into flour for breads, pancakes, or mush. Removing the calyx remnants is simple, as they detach easily when rubbed. These seeds rarely carry the musty or pond-like off-notes found in some other goosefoot species, making C. fremontii unusually palatable. Seasonality (Phenology): Fremont’s goosefoot germinates in spring as temperatures rise. Leaves are present from late spring onward, though not generally harvested. Flowering occurs through summer, with seed maturation in late summer to autumn. Seedheads often persist for weeks or months into early winter, allowing harvesting well after plants have dried. Peak seed availability typically occurs from September to November, depending on moisture and elevation. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Leaves contain notable levels of oxalates and saponins and cause strong acrid burning sensations in the mouth. They should be avoided or eaten only in very small, well-cooked quantities. Seeds, however, are safe and nutritious when cooked. As with all Chenopodium species, avoid consuming seeds raw in large quantities due to natural saponins; cooking neutralises these compounds effectively. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Harvest begins when plants turn reddish-brown and brittle in late summer or autumn. Seedheads can be clipped into containers and rubbed to release seeds. A simple winnowing step removes chaff, as calyx remnants detach easily. Seeds may then be toasted, boiled, or milled. Because seedheads persist for weeks, harvesting can be staggered or delayed without significant loss. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Fremont’s goosefoot resembles several other Chenopodium species, notably C. berlandieri, C. incanum, and C. pratericola. Leaves, however, are generally more acrid and less palatable than those of its close relatives. Seedheads are easily distinguished from those of Dysphania species, which possess aromatic, sticky, glandular leaves. Fortunately, most weak-scented Chenopodium species are edible, so confusion rarely carries significant risk. Traditional / Indigenous Use Summary: Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin and Southwest widely used Fremont’s goosefoot. Seeds were ground into flour for porridges, breads, and winter storage, forming an important carbohydrate-rich staple. Its role as a wild grain is well attested, and many cultures considered it a dependable late-season food that could be harvested in volume. The leaves were occasionally eaten but were generally considered inferior or unpleasant.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are used for bread or porridge. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Known Hazards

The leaves and seeds of all members of this genus are more or less edible. However, many of the species in this genus contain saponins, though usually in quantities too small to do any harm. Although toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down to a large extent in the cooking process. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish. The plants also contain some oxalic acid, which in large quantities can lock up some of the nutrients in the food. However, even considering this, they are very nutritious vegetables in reasonable quantities. Cooking the plants will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Canada, Mexico, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Fremont’s goosefoot stands among the finest seed-producing wild plants of the Southwest, offering quinoa-like grains in abundance with minimal processing required. While the leaves are unpalatable, the seeds provide exceptional food value, historical significance, and ecological resilience. For foragers and land stewards seeking dependable wild grains, this species is one of the top candidates across arid and semi-arid North America. Growing Conditions This species thrives in dry, open habitats, including foothill slopes, sagebrush flats, canyon bottoms, and areas of natural disturbance. It tolerates a wide range of soils—including sandy, gravelly, clayey, or alkaline substrates—and often flourishes in poor, depleted soils where few other annuals succeed. Full sun is preferred, and drought tolerance is high. Like many goosefoots, it responds vigorously to disturbance such as fire, soil turnover, or grazing gaps. Habitat & Range: Fremont’s goosefoot is native across western North America, especially the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and Southwest, extending into mountain foothills and semi-arid plains. It is common in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and adjacent states. Its broad ecological amplitude allows it to appear from low desert margins to upper sagebrush steppe and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Size & Landscape Performance: Typical plants stand 30–60 cm tall, occasionally taller in favourable soils. The plant forms a loosely pyramidal shape with thick seed clusters in the upper half. It is not typically used as an ornamental, but in ecological or rewilded garden spaces it may function as a hardy annual grain species. Its modest size and rough texture limit horticultural appeal, but its resilience and seed productivity make it of interest in experimental food-forest or dryland agronomy contexts. Cultivation (Horticulture): Fremont’s goosefoot can be cultivated in gardens much like quinoa, though it remains fully wild and variable. It requires full sun, minimal irrigation, and tolerates poor soils. Direct sowing in spring produces best results. Plants require little maintenance and generally do not suffer from pests. For gardeners exploring perennial-like grain systems or dryland annuals, it offers a hardy and low-input seed crop. Pests & Problems: This species is resilient and experiences few issues with pests or disease. Drought, extreme heat, or overcompetition from taller vegetation may reduce yield, but overall the plant is tough and dependable. Moisture stress near maturity may reduce seed size, though the plant typically still produces usable harvests. Cultivar / Selection Notes: No cultivars exist, and the species displays natural variability in height, seed colour, yield, and leaf morphology. This variability reflects local environmental selection rather than breeding. Pollination: Pollination occurs by wind, with the plant producing abundant pollen typical of the genus. Seed set is generally reliable even in sparse vegetation or challenging environments. Identification & Habit: Fremont’s goosefoot grows as an upright, often bushy annual reaching 20–70 cm in height. Stems are stout, green to reddish, and may branch extensively from the base. Leaves are simple, alternate, and variable in shape—generally triangular to rhombic with coarse or shallow teeth. Surfaces often possess the mealy or dusty coating typical of many Chenopodium species, though it may be subtle. Plants appear robust, with dense inflorescences forming at branch tips and along upper stems. The flowers are small, green, and inconspicuous, arranged in thick clusters that mature into heavy seed-bearing structures. As the plant ages, the stems and seedheads turn reddish-brown and brittle, signalling readiness for harvest.

Propagation

Propagation is by seed only. Seeds germinate readily in warm soils without stratification. To propagate intentionally, scatter seeds on loosened soil and cover lightly. Natural recruitment occurs after disturbance, and seedbanks can persist in soil for years.

Other Uses

Gold and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.

Notes

There are about 100-150-250 Chenopodium species. They are mostly in temperate regions. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Fremont's goosefoot

References (8)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Elias, T.S. & Dykeman P.A., 1990, Edible Wild Plants. A North American Field guide. Sterling, New York p 75
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 216
• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
• Saunders, C.F., 1948, Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. New York. p 52

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