Avian Goosefoot: A Lesser-Known Member of the Goosefoot Family
If you’ve stumbled across the name avian goosefoot in your plant research, you might be wondering what exactly this mysterious member of the goosefoot family brings to the garden table. Chenopodium hircinum, as it’s scientifically known, is one of those plants that flies somewhat under the radar in the gardening world – and there are some good reasons for that.
What Exactly Is Avian Goosefoot?
Avian goosefoot is an annual forb, which simply means it’s a soft-stemmed, herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Like other members of the Chenopodium genus, it lacks the woody tissue that you’d find in shrubs and trees, instead growing as a leafy, non-woody plant that dies back completely each winter.
As a forb, this plant produces its growth from buds located at or below ground level, making it quite different from the woody perennials that form the backbone of many landscape designs.
Where Does It Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit concerning from a native gardening perspective. Avian goosefoot isn’t actually native to North America. It’s what botanists call a non-native introduced species, meaning it originally came from somewhere else but has managed to establish itself and reproduce in the wild here without human assistance.
Currently, you can find this plant growing in Hawaii and New Mexico, where it has successfully naturalized and persists in the landscape.
Should You Grow Avian Goosefoot in Your Garden?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While avian goosefoot isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, there’s surprisingly little information available about its garden performance, growing requirements, or ecological benefits. When a plant flies this far under the horticultural radar, it’s usually for good reason.
Here’s what we don’t know about avian goosefoot:
- Its specific growing conditions and care requirements
- How it performs in garden settings
- What benefits it provides to pollinators and wildlife
- Its potential invasive tendencies
- Appropriate USDA hardiness zones
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Given the limited information available about avian goosefoot and its non-native status, you might want to consider some well-documented native alternatives that can provide similar herbaceous annual interest in your garden:
- Native goosefoot species like Chenopodium album (if native to your area)
- Native annual wildflowers that support local ecosystems
- Regional native forbs that provide known benefits to wildlife and pollinators
The Bottom Line
While avian goosefoot isn’t necessarily a bad plant, it falls into that grey area of being non-native with limited horticultural value and unknown ecological impact. In the world of native gardening, we generally recommend focusing your energy and garden space on plants that are well-documented, beneficial to local wildlife, and native to your region.
If you’re drawn to the goosefoot family, research native Chenopodium species in your area, or explore other native annuals that can provide the herbaceous interest you’re seeking while supporting your local ecosystem.
Remember, every plant choice in your garden is an opportunity to support native wildlife and create habitat – so why not choose plants that we know will deliver on that promise?
