Manyseed Goosefoot: An Uninvited Garden Guest You Should Know
If you’ve ever wondered about that small, somewhat scraggly plant that seems to pop up in the most unexpected corners of your garden, you might be looking at manyseed goosefoot (Chenopodium polyspermum var. polyspermum). This unassuming annual has a knack for showing up uninvited, and while it won’t win any beauty contests, it’s worth getting to know this persistent little character.
What Exactly Is Manyseed Goosefoot?
Manyseed goosefoot is an annual forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. As its name suggests, this plant produces an abundance of tiny seeds – hence the manyseed part of its common name. The goosefoot portion comes from the shape of its leaves, which some imaginative botanist thought resembled the webbed foot of a goose.
This plant belongs to the same family as quinoa and spinach, though you probably won’t want to toss it in your salad. It’s what we call a weedy species – not because it’s necessarily problematic, but because it has mastered the art of thriving in disturbed soils and less-than-ideal growing conditions.
Where You’ll Find It
Originally from Europe and western Asia, manyseed goosefoot has made itself quite comfortable in North America. In Canada, it’s established itself in Ontario, where it grows as a non-native species that reproduces on its own without any human assistance. It’s one of those plants that just seems to appear wherever the soil has been disturbed – think construction sites, roadsides, and those forgotten corners of gardens.
Should You Plant Manyseed Goosefoot?
Here’s the thing about manyseed goosefoot – you probably don’t need to plant it because it will likely find you first. This isn’t a plant that gardeners typically choose to grow intentionally, and there are several reasons why:
- Limited aesthetic appeal: It produces small, inconspicuous green flowers that won’t add much visual interest to your garden
- Weedy growth habit: It tends to appear in disturbed areas and can look unkempt
- Minimal wildlife benefits: As a wind-pollinated plant, it doesn’t offer much for pollinators
- Non-native status: While not considered invasive, it doesn’t support local ecosystems like native plants do
Better Native Alternatives
If you’re looking for native plants that can handle tough growing conditions and provide real benefits to local wildlife, consider these alternatives:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): A hardy native that attracts bees and butterflies
- Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis): A native grass that provides habitat and food for birds
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): A beautiful native perennial that hummingbirds love
If It Shows Up Anyway
Manyseed goosefoot is remarkably adaptable and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. It prefers disturbed soils and can tolerate poor growing conditions that would make other plants throw in the trowel. If you find it growing in your garden, you don’t need to panic – it’s not considered invasive or noxious. However, you might want to remove it before it sets seed if you prefer a more curated garden appearance.
The plant typically reaches a modest height and spreads moderately, making it more of a background character than a starring role in your garden drama. It’s the botanical equivalent of that acquaintance who shows up to parties uninvited but doesn’t cause any real trouble.
The Bottom Line
While manyseed goosefoot isn’t going to harm your garden or the environment, it’s not going to enhance it much either. Think of it as nature’s way of filling in the gaps – it appears where other plants struggle and quietly does its thing without much fanfare. If you’re passionate about supporting local ecosystems and creating beautiful garden spaces, you’ll probably want to focus your energy on native plants that offer more bang for your gardening buck.
That said, there’s something to be appreciated about a plant that’s so completely unfussy and adaptable. In a world where we often struggle to keep our prized specimens alive, there’s a certain humble charm to a plant that just keeps on keeping on, no matter what we throw at it.
