Uses
Toxic parts
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[K].
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
[1].
Edible uses
Notes
Leaves and flower buds - cooked and used like spinach. The raw leaves should only be eaten in small quantities, see the notes above on toxicity. Although edible, the smell of the leaves would discourage most people from using this plant[K].
Seed - cooked. Ground into a powder, mixed with wheat or other cereals and used in making bread etc. The seed is small and fiddly, it should be soaked in water overnight and thoroughly rinsed before it is used in order to remove any saponins.
Material uses
Gold/green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant
[2].
The whole plant is antispasmodic and emmenagogue
[3]. An infusion of the dried leaves is used in the treatment of hysteria and nervous troubles connected with women's ailments
[3].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ. Most of the seed usually germinates within a few days of sowing.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Chenopodium vulvaria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade
[4][5]. It prefers a moderately fertile soil
[5].
The plant contains trimethylamine, and when touched it gives off the nauseous odour of stale salt fish
[3][6].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Chenopodium vulvaria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Chenopodium vulvaria.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Chenopodium vulvaria
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Chenopodium vulvaria - Woodville.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Chenopodium vulvaria - Woodville.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Chenopodium vulvaria - Woodville.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Chenopodium vulvaria - Woodville.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Chenopodium vulvaria - Woodville.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
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References
-
? Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
-
? 2.02.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.23.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
-
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? 5.05.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
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