Chenopodium

John Lindley, 1838, Chenopodium, Flora Medica, London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, pp. 347-349 : 347-348

CHENOPODIUM .

Calyx inferior, in 5 deep, ovate, concave, permanent segments, membranous at the edges, Filaments awl-shaped, opposite to the segments, and about as long. Anthers of 2 round lobes. Ovary orbicular, depressed. Styles short. Stigmas obtuse, Seed solitary, lenticular, crustaceous, enveloped in a very thin, mem-branous, close utricle, and covered by the permanent, 5-angled calyx.

- Waste ground, common in many places, especially near the sea. (Stinking goosefoot)

Root small. Stems several, branched, spreading or prostrate. Whole herb of a dull greyish-green, covered with a greasy mealiness, which, when touched, exhales a strong, permanent, nauseous odour, like stale saltfish. Leaves stalked, acute, entire, ovate, or slightly rhomboid, not an i nch long. Flowers small, in oblong, interrupted spikes. Seed dotted. -According to Chevallier this plant exhales pure ammonia, during its whole existence. Notwithstanding Its nauseous odour it is still employed as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue, and is constantly to be found in the herb-shops of Covent Garden market.