Integrated Pest Management

Common Lambsquarters

Chenopodium album

Lambsquarters

Common lambsquarters (Robert Videki, Bugwood.org)

Lambsquarters

Common lambsquarters leaves (Robert Videki, Bugwood.org)

Lambsquarters

Common lambsquarters flowers (Mary Ellen Harte, Bugwood.org)

 

Description

  • upright, upward branching plant growing 4 inches – 6 feet tall
    leaf shape varies from coarsely toothed with shallow lobes (lower leaves) to
  • narrow and linear shaped (upper leaves)
  • inconspicuous small clumps of flowers
  • can produce up to 72,000 seeds per plant

Location

  • landscape, lawn, cropland and open spaces

Life Cycle

  • annual; germinates in late spring
  • produces flowers and seed in late summer and fall
  • seeds can remain viable for over 20 years

IPM Recommendations

  • Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
  • Maintain healthy, competitive desirable vegetation.
  • Seed populations can be reduced by soil solarization.
  • Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.