Missouri Lambsquarters: A Wild Native Worth Knowing
Meet Missouri lambsquarters (Chenopodium album var. missouriense), a humble native plant that you’ve probably walked past dozens of times without giving it a second thought. This unassuming annual forb might not win any beauty contests, but it tells an interesting story about American plant geography and the complex world of native species.
What Exactly is Missouri Lambsquarters?
Missouri lambsquarters is a variety of the more widely known Chenopodium album, and it’s what botanists call a forb – basically a non-woody plant that lacks significant thickening by secondary growth. Think of it as an herb that lives its entire life cycle in one growing season, then starts the whole process over again from seed.
You might also see this plant listed under its scientific synonyms: Chenopodium missouriense Aellen or Chenopodium missouriense Aellen var. bushianum. Don’t let all those Latin names intimidate you – they’re just different ways botanists have classified this plant over the years as they’ve learned more about it.
Where Does It Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting. Missouri lambsquarters has a somewhat complicated relationship with being native. It’s considered native to the lower 48 states, where you can find it growing in an impressive list of locations: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri (naturally!), Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
However, in Alaska, it’s actually considered non-native – an introduced species that’s managed to establish itself and reproduce without human help. This shows how complex plant geography can be, and reminds us that native isn’t always a simple black-and-white designation.
Should You Plant Missouri Lambsquarters in Your Garden?
Here’s the honest truth: Missouri lambsquarters isn’t typically what you’d call a garden plant. It’s more of a wild character that shows up where it wants to, whether you invited it or not. Its appearance is fairly unremarkable, and it doesn’t offer the showy flowers or striking foliage that most gardeners seek.
That said, there are a few scenarios where you might appreciate having it around:
- Wild or naturalized garden areas where you want to support native plant diversity
- Low-maintenance spaces where you’re happy to let nature take the lead
- Areas where you’re trying to establish a diverse plant community
Better Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking to add native annuals to your garden that offer more visual appeal and documented wildlife benefits, consider these alternatives depending on your region:
- Native sunflowers (Helianthus species) for bright, cheerful blooms
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for fragrant flowers that pollinators adore
- Native asters for late-season color and crucial fall pollinator support
- Regional wildflower mixes that include proven native species
Growing Conditions and Care
If Missouri lambsquarters does show up in your garden naturally, it’s likely to be quite adaptable. As an annual, it completes its life cycle in one growing season, so you don’t need to worry about long-term care. Like many plants in the Chenopodium family, it’s probably fairly tolerant of different soil conditions and doesn’t require much pampering.
The key thing to remember is that this plant has managed to establish itself across most of the continental United States, which suggests it’s pretty good at taking care of itself once it gets going.
The Bottom Line
Missouri lambsquarters is one of those plants that’s more interesting from an ecological and botanical perspective than from a gardening one. While it’s native to most of the US and certainly has its place in wild plant communities, it’s not typically something you’d seek out for your garden design.
If you’re passionate about supporting native plant diversity and have space for a more naturalized approach to gardening, you might welcome it. But if you’re looking for native plants that offer clear garden benefits like pollinator attraction, wildlife food, or aesthetic appeal, you’ll probably find better options among the many spectacular native species available for your region.
Remember, being a good native plant gardener isn’t just about planting anything that’s technically native – it’s about choosing plants that will thrive in your conditions while providing the benefits you’re looking for, whether that’s beauty, wildlife support, or ecological function.
