Lamb’s Quarters

• Native:

Narrow-leaved Goosefoot  (Chenopodium leptophyllum) appears nearly identical to Lamb’s Quarters as both come from the same genus. Narrow-leaved Goosefoot differs by being covered with narrow, linear, single-veined leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Non-Native:   

Common Orache (Atriplex patula) has an opposite arrangement of the first several pairs of leaves and branches. Also, the leaf base has a lobe on each side.

Native to Eurasia, Lamb’s Quarters was a commonly eaten green in spring and summer. Prepared as a tea, it is used to treat gastrointestinal tract disorders. It has now become widespread throughout much of North America.

Lamb’s Quarters doesn’t tend to invade well-established native plant communities, preferring instead to grow in disturbed sites. Due to its preference for nitrate rich soils, Lamb’s Quarters often grows on cultivated land. It can be found in gardens, croplands, old fields, weedy meadows, roadsides, and railways.

Lamb’s Quarters reproduces by seed. Each plant produces about 72,000 seeds, which can remain dormant in the soil for 20 years or more.

Lamb’s Quarters spreads due to its high rate of seed production. It is also a common contaminant in grass seed. It can be spread through human activity, gardens, and farm cultivation.

Lamb’s Quarters is currently found throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, so the best approach to controlling its spread is by PREVENTION.

 

Learn to identify Lamb’s Quarters: use the images presented in this profile page to learn how to identify Lamb’s Quarters.

What to do if you spot it: You can report any Lamb’s Quarters sighting by clicking here.

 

DO:

• Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
• Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport.
• Check wildflower mixes to ensure that they do not contain Lamb’s Quarters.
• Ensure that plants are disposed of in a garbage bag if found in floral arrangements to prevent seeds from spreading.

 

DO NOT:

• Do not unload, park or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas; remove plant material from any equipment, vehicles, or clothing used in such areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
• Do not plant Lamb’s Quarters in a garden, no matter how well-contained its enclosure may seem.
• Do not move soil that has been contaminated with Lamb’s Quarters.
• Do not compost.

Control

Mechanical

• Lamb’s Quarters has a short taproot and can be hand-pulled easily.
• Regular mowing/tilling before the plant goes to seed will reduce weed progression; if flowers have not yet emerged, plant material can safely be left on site to decompose.
• In the post-flowering stage, all plant parts must be bagged and deeply buried at the landfill.

Chemical

• Lamb’s Quarters can be controlled through herbicide in most crops.
• Pre-emergent herbicides are recommended. Fluroxypyr with MCPA and fluroxypyr with 2,4-D are identified as effective herbicides for this plant.
• It is worth noting that some Lamb’s Quarters populations are resistant to Group 5 and Group 2 herbicides.
• Any herbicide applications must be applied through a certified pesticide applicator. We recommend that any herbicide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying herbicides, you must review and follow herbicide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.

Biological

Field mice, sowbugs, millipedes, crickets, slugs, and carabid beetles feed on seeds lying on the soil surface, though they don’t offer significant control.