Common lambsquarters is typically an upright, branching plant growing one to four feet high from a taproot. The stems are ridged or angular in cross-section and may be tinged with purple. The dull green leaves are alternate with distinct petioles (upper leaves may lack petioles), and typically have wavy to somewhat toothed margins. Leaves are typically broader at the base, tapering gradually to a point. The leaves are grayish and mealy in appearance and are often reddish underneath. Both leaves and stems are hairless. Flowers are small and greenish, occurring in dense clusters on flower spikes at the ends of stems and branches. The closely-related netseed lambsquarters (Chenopodium berlandieri) is very similar in appearance. SPECIAL INFORMATION: Common lambsquarters is edible and is used as a green vegetable in many parts of the world.

Habitat

Common lambsquarters is a weed of waste and cultivated areas including fields and gardens. It may also occur in lawns.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Reduce weed establishment by maintaining a healthy planting or turf area to provide competition.
Cultivation (rototilling or hoeing) will effectively eliminate plants.
Hand-pull to eliminate weeds.
Mowing to prevent seed production is a very effective means of management. In lawns, mowing regularly at the proper height for the grass species may help minimize weed growth and invasion.
Careful digging is useful to manage weed populations. However, digging can carry undesirable weed seed to the surface and foster further germination.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Apply according to label directions. Glyphosate should be applied as spot treatments only! NOTE: Some ingredients listed here are only available in combination. Read the label carefully on combination products to make sure the product is suitable for your specific situation.

Landscape areas

glyphosate
dichlobenil
oryzalin
trifluralin
products containing diquat

Turf areas

products containing 2,4-D
products containing MCPA
products containing MCPP
triclopyr
2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba

Bare ground areas

glyphosate
products containing diquat
products containing 2,4-D
triclopyr

Images

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Caption: Common lambsquarters Photo by: T.W. Miller
Caption: Common lambsquarters with seed head Photo by: T. W. Miller
Caption: Lambsquarters flowers Photo by: T. W. Miller
Caption: Common lambsquarters stem Photo by: T. W. Miller
Caption: Common lambsquarters cotyledon Photo by: J.A. Kropf
Caption: Common lambsquarters seedling Photo by: D.G. Swan
Caption: Common lambsquarters young plant Photo by: T. W. Miller

WSU Extension

Hortsense