Blitum virgatum L. is a plant in the Amaranthaceae family, order Caryophyllales, kingdom Plantae. Not known to be toxic.

Photo of Blitum virgatum L. (Blitum virgatum L.)
🌿 Plantae

Blitum virgatum L.

Blitum virgatum L.

Blitum virgatum L. is an erect annual edible herb that was once grown as a leaf vegetable in Europe.

Family
Genus
Blitum
Order
Caryophyllales
Class
Magnoliopsida
⚠️ Toxicity Note

Insufficient toxicity evidence; avoid direct contact and ingestion.

About Blitum virgatum L.

Blitum virgatum L. is an erect annual herb that reaches a maximum height of just over half a meter. Its leaves measure 1 to 4 centimeters long, and can have toothed or smooth edges. Its inflorescences consist of small spherical clusters of tiny reddish-green flowers, which wrap around fruits that are approximately one millimeter wide. The leaves and inflorescences of this species are edible, with a flavor and texture similar to spinach. Formerly, it was cultivated as a leaf vegetable in Europe, and there has been some renewed interest in growing it again in recent times.

Photo: Javier martin, no known copyright restrictions (public domain) · pd

Taxonomy

Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Caryophyllales Amaranthaceae Blitum

More from Amaranthaceae

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, NCBI Taxonomy · Disclaimer

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