Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
 
Division: Magnoliophyta
 
Class: Magnoliopsida
 
Order: Caryophyllales
 
Family: Amaranthaceae
 
Genus: Chenopodium

Description

Chenopodium album is a fast-growing, upright, weedy annual plant that is common in temperate regions. It occurs almost everywhere in soils rich in nitrogen, especially on wasteland. It grows up to one metre in height.

The species is commonly known as goosefoot, fat hen, white goosefoot, lamb's quarters or dungweed.

Fat Hen can compete vigorously with seedlings and establishing crops. Infestations may be very dense and can severely reduce harvest quantities. Several generations may occur in one season due to the plant's quick growth and seed production abilities. One plant can produce up to 70,000 seeds!

Control Methods

Pulling the plants up by hand, particularly is an effective method of control as fat hen generally produces a shallow root system. Mulching is an excellent method to prevent germinating seeds from establishing.