B12 in Lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album)

[Korn]

From http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/crops/hort/news/tenderfr/tf0705a5.htm :

More than meets the eye! (by Jan Schooley, Ginseng and Medicinal Herb Specialist, OMAF)

Young leaves are edible and contain more iron, protein and Vitamin B12 than spinach. Lamb's-quarters was a valued vegetable crop in early Europe until spinach was introduced from Asia in the 16th century (lamb's-quarters is in the same family as chard and beets). Seeds of lamb's-quarters have been found in the stomachs of Iron Age man. In times of famine in Europe the seeds were mixed with wheat to make the wheat go further. Aboriginal peoples drank a tea made from the leaves to relieve stomach pain. A related species, C. quinoa is a major crop in South America and is harvested for its seeds.


More here: http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/chenopod.htm

[veganblue]

It seems to be called chickweed here in Australia and grows all over the place. It looks interesting - I will find more of how to use it and hunt some down. Thanks for the tip!

http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/chenopodiaceae/chenopodium-album.htm
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/cheal.htm

[PinkFluffyCloud]

Yes, I would be interested in the 'how to use' part, please post!!

[Korn]

Hi, chickweed has different latin names (Stellaria media, Cerastium vulgatum), and is listed here.....:
http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2123

Maybe you think of pigweed?
Photos of pigweed/lamb's quarters: http://www.cloudnet.com/~djeans/FlwPlant/



Photos of Stellaria Media: http://ww1.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-476.htm & http://www.coestatepark.com/stellaria_media.htm & http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mbierner/bio406d/images/pics/car/stellaria_media.htm

Pictures of mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum): http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Cerastium_vulgatum_page.html & http://www.cloudnet.com/~djeans/FlwPlant/MeChickweed.htm & http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~sforza/weeds/cervu.html & http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/weedspeciespage/mouseear_chickweed/mouseear_chickweed_page.html

[PinkFluffyCloud]

Yes, I know it as 'Fat Hen', but don't know what to do with it - it looks a bit tough to be honest!!!

[veganblue]

PFC is right - I was thinking of fat hen - ('chick' weed, hence the confusion). I will try find a fat hen picture and name. There may be a variety of chickweed here since I know the name but as with many common names - it is not assured to be the same thing.

Identification
Genus Atriplex
Species patula
Variety hastata
Common names fat hen
Family CHENOPODIACEAE

There are a lot of Atriplex's spread across the world - many known as saltbush here. I was measuring A.vesicaria densities last week on a grazing exclusion zone in the outback. It is interestingly tasty though salty. It is not the fat hen I am thinking of however.