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Ambrosia Mexicana Dysphania botrys

Previously known as:

  • Ambrosia mexicana
  • Botrydium botrys
  • Chenopodium botrys
Phonetic Spelling
dis-FAY-nee-a BOT-trees
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Goosefoot is an annual weed in the amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family and is native to Eurasia. It naturalizes easily and it is found in disturbed sites, like roadsides, gravel pits, empty lots and occasionally in wetland areas. It has naturalized in much of the USA and Mexico. The plant can grow to 2 feet tall and is freely branched from the base. The entire plant is covered in sticky glandular hairs.

Goosefoot blooms during the summer and sets many seeds. The pinnately lobed leaves help to identify this plant from the related Chenopodium species.  It tolerates a variety of soils and full sun.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Weedy

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#high maintenance#summer flowers#disturbed areas#annual weed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#full sun
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#high maintenance#summer flowers#disturbed areas#annual weed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#full sun
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dysphania
    Species:
    botrys
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used medicinally for its diuretic, antispasmodic, carminative, and antidiarrhoeic properties
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia
    Distribution:
    Has naturalized in much of the USA
    Edibility:
    Leaves can be used in cooking in moderation for flavoring.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Matures from green to blackish and loosely encases the flat oval seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Dried
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Petaless, dense fragrant tiny green-yellow flowers appear in axillary cymes in a long, terminal panicle in June-September. Green calyx with 5 lobes cups the flowers. Bracts are leaf-like but may be absent
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate to oblong green leaves are pinnately lobbed with shallow teeth and a wedge-shaped base. Upper leaves are usually entire. They are 1/2 to 1 & 1/2 inches long and 1/4 to 1 inch wide. Covered in sticky glandular hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Freely branched from base and erect to ascending The stem is ridged with sticky glandular hairs
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, anorexia, depression
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sesquiterpene lactones
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves