Chenopodium opulifolium aka Grey Goosefoot

Chenopodium opulifolium, or seaport goosefoot, belongs to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its native range spans Europe and reaches western Siberia. It also covers the Mediterranean region east to Turkmenistan. In Africa, it extends from Eritrea into southern tropical areas. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In southern England, it grows as an introduced plant on waste ground. Elsewhere, it occurs beside roads and among crops.

This herb grows upright and has spreading branches. The lower stems can become woody. Most sources treat it as an annual. Useful Tropical Plants also describes some plants as short-lived perennials. Garden references give heights near 2.5–2.6 feet [0.75–0.8 metres]. A broader account gives 2–4.9 feet [0.6–1.5 metres]. This taller range comes from an account of African food plants. Its flowers appear from August to October. Each flower has both male and female organs. The small seeds provide one of its food uses.

Seaport goosefoot is easy to grow in most garden soils. It accepts sand, loam and clay. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soil. A soil with moderate fertility suits it best. It prefers moist ground and a sunny site. One account allows light shade, though cultivation notes say it dislikes shade. Garden beds offer a place to grow it for use. Sow the seed directly into its growing site in spring. Most seeds can sprout within a few days. Its presence among crops shows that it can act as a weed.

People gather the leaves for food, either raw or cooked. Raw portions should remain small. Cooks use the leaves like spinach or mix them with other greens. In Tanzania, such dishes accompany rice, potatoes or ugali. People also cook the seeds for food. They can grind them and blend the meal with cereal flour. The seeds are small, which makes preparation awkward. Soak them overnight, then rinse them well before use. This treatment helps remove saponins.

Food use comes with cautions, rather than a blanket claim of safety. The food guidance warns against eating large amounts of raw leaves. It also calls for care when preparing the seed. Useful Tropical Plants records local harvest for food and medicine. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal uses. These accounts do not establish a proven medical benefit. The whole plant can also yield gold or green dyes. Its documented garden value therefore centres on food and dye use.