Winged Pigweed

Cycloloma atriplicifolium

Physical Characteristics

Cycloloma atriplicifolium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Central and Western N. America - northwards to Manitoba and Quebec. Naturalized in S. Europe[50].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked. It is very small, about 1.5mm in diameter[270], but was used as a staple food by several native North American Indian tribes[257]. It can be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat or other cereals and used in making bread etc. It can also be used as a gruel[61, 105, 161, 257].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Febrifuge The plant has been used in the treatment of fevers, rheumatism and headaches[216, 257].

Known Hazards

None known