Blitum virgatum aka Strawberry Goosefoot

Blitum virgatum, or leafy goosefoot, belongs to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. The RHS lists Chenopodium foliosum as a synonym. Its native range spans central and southern Europe to southern Siberia and Nepal. Kew places it in temperate regions. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Records describe it on roadsides, waste ground, slopes, and forest edges. It also grows in valleys in northern Tibet.

Garden accounts describe an annual reaching about 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Kew gives its life form as annual or subshrub. Its flowers have both male and female organs, and wind carries the pollen. Flowering runs from July to October. Seeds ripen from August to October, so flowering and seed production overlap. The fruit measures about half an inch across. Each seed is much smaller, at about one millimetre across.

This plant needs a sunny site and moist soil. PFAF describes it as easy to grow in most soils. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, but does not grow in shade. Moderately fertile ground suits it best. It tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8. Sow seed where the plants will grow in spring. Most seed sprouts within a few days, according to that source. Cultivated beds provide a place to grow it.

People once grew leafy goosefoot for its edible leaves. Cook the leaves and use them as a spinach substitute. PFAF advises eating only small amounts of raw leaves. The fruit can be eaten raw, though its flavour is bland. The source values its looks more than its taste. Seeds can be ground, cooked, and mixed with cereal flour for bread. Their small size makes them awkward to handle. PFAF recommends soaking seeds for twelve hours, then rinsing well before grinding. This step helps wash away saponins.

The whole plant can also supply gold or green dye. PFAF gives it a moderate food-use rating, but lists no known medicinal uses. Its account does not flag weed potential. The supplied species evidence gives no specific pest or disease problems. Nor does it establish safety for pets. Treat its food uses alongside the preparation guidance, rather than assuming all parts are safe raw.