Chenopodium foliosum Asch.

An annual herb. It grows 20-70 cm tall. It often has several stems. It can be erect or sprawling. The leaves have irregular lobes and are almost triangle shaped. They are 7-10 cm long and have a pointed tip. The leaves are dark green above and are paler underneath. The flowers are small and 4 mm wide. They occur in clusters on the main stem. They are a greenish-yellow colour. Plants contain both sexes and they are pollinated by wind. The fruit are like berries. There are many small drupelets in a tight cluster. The fruit are bright red. They are 1-1.5 cm wide. The fruit can be juicy.

It is a cool temperate plant. It grows naturally in mountainous regions in Central and Southern Europe. It cannot tolerate frost but is grown as an annual. It needs full sun. They grow best in fertile soil. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 1,200-2,300 m above sea level

The fruit have little flavour but can be used as a garnish on sweet or savoury dishes. They are eaten fresh. They are also boiled with milk. The leaves are usually lightly boiled then eaten. It is used as a pot-herb.

Plants are usually grown from seed. Seeds can be broadcast and grow in 7-14 days. Seedlings can be transplanted. A spacing of 30-50 cm is suitable.