Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album ) is a rapid growing summer annual weed. It emerges throughout the summer, with peak emergence in mid- to late spring. Mature C. album plants have broadly triangle-shaped leaves with irregular, shallow-toothed margins and a white mealy coating. It's stems are smooth or hairless, grooved, and green or reddish in color. It has tiny green to gray-green flower clusters at the tips of stems and branches which eventually turn into its seeds. C. album seeds are able to remain dormant for extended periods of time. C. album is extremely hardy and thrives on many types of soil and at many pH levels. It is one of the last weeds to be killed by frost, and its presence is one of the best indicators of good soil.
Toxic components
C. album is able to generate high levels of oxalates. If horses consume large quantities of oxalates, it can cause a significant reduction in calcium update it triggers the parathyroid hormone to demineralize bone calcium stores, leading to weakened bones, increased risk of bone fractures, intermittent lameness, and stunted growth.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Weak Heart Rate
- Tremors
- Weakness
- Death
MANUAL CONTROL: Lambsquarters is best controlled when small. Can be effectively controlled with timely mowing and proper pasture management
CHEMICAL CONTROL: Lambsquarter can be extremely difficult to control with postemergence herbicides. The wax on the leaf surface slows herbicide movement into
- Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed August 5, 2014. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.. 2014.
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University and SEGES Chenopodium album L Crop Protection Online. 2014.
- Fairley RA, Williams SJ, Finnigan CE, Greene MA, Robinson AE, Gill JM. The occurrence of hypocalcaemia in mid lactation dairy cattle after the consumption of large amounts of fat-hen (Chenopodium album). New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 2012.
- Ozkol HU, Calka O, Karadag AS, Akdeniz N, Bilgili SG, Behcet L. Nine case series with phototoxic dermatitis related to Chenopodium album. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2012.
- B. Curran, C. Sprague, J. Stachler, M. Loux Biology and Management of Common Lambsquarters The Glyphosate, Weeds, and Crops Series Purdue Extension. 2007.
