Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodiaceae (pronounced: /ˌkɛnoʊpoʊdiˈeɪsiː/), also known as the goosefoot family, is a family of flowering plants. The family name is derived from the type genus Chenopodium.

Etymology

The name Chenopodiaceae is derived from the genus Chenopodium, which in turn is derived from the Greek words 'chen' (goose) and 'pous' (foot), referring to the shape of the leaves in some species which resemble a goose's foot.

Description

Members of the Chenopodiaceae family are typically herbaceous plants, and are found worldwide, but are most diverse in semi-arid and arid regions. They are characteristically salt-tolerant and are often found in saline environments.

Genera

The family includes many genera, including Atriplex, Beta, Chenopodium, Spinacia, and Salicornia among others.

Economic Importance

Several members of the Chenopodiaceae family are of economic importance, providing food crops, such as beet (Beta vulgaris), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

Related Terms

• Amaranthaceae: A related family of flowering plants, often considered together with Chenopodiaceae.
• Caryophyllales: The order to which Chenopodiaceae belongs.
• Halophyte: A plant that grows in waters of high salinity, many members of Chenopodiaceae are halophytes.

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