Chenopodium pallidicaule Cañihua (Chenopodiaceae)

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Chenopodium pallidicaule
Cañihua
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The Chenopodium pallidicaule plant species is found in S. America - Andes. It is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Cañihua.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Chenopodium pallidicaule
Common Name:  Cañihua
Family:  Chenopodiaceae
Author:  Aellen.

Known Hazards:  The leaves and seeds of all members of this genus are more or less edible. However, many of the species in this genus contain saponins, though usually in quantities too small to do any harm. Although toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down to a large extent in the cooking process. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. The plants also contain some oxalic acid, which in large quantities can lock up some of the nutrients in the food. However, even considering this, they are very nutritious vegetables in reasonable quantities. Cooking the plants will reduce their contwent of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:

Habitat:  A common weed of cultivated ground, especially on rich soils, it grows in areas where frosts can occur in 9 months of the year, including during the growing season[196].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds on most soils, including shallow soils, but dislikes shade[196, 200]. Prefers a moderately fertile soil[200]. Once the plant is about 5cm tall it is very drought tolerant[196]. The plant has short stout stems and resists wind and heavy rain[196]. It is also more resistant than barley or quinoa to low night temperatures[196]. Plants do not like excess humidity[196]. They tolerate a pH in the range from 4.8 to 8.5 and shows some salt tolerance[196]. Adult plants are unaffected by night frosts in the growing season, the seed can germinate at a soil temperature of 5°c, whilst the plant will flower at 10°c and ripen its seed at 15°c[196]. Cañihua is often cultivated for its edible seed in S. America[183], there are some named varieties[61, 196]. The seed is somewhat laborious to harvest and dehusk, the seed is enveloped in a papery husk and this is removed by soaking in water and then rubbing[196]. Most varieties take about 150 days from seed sowing to harvest, but at least one quick-maturing type can be harvested in 95 days[196]. Yields of 2.4 tonnes per hectare are average, but twice this has been recorded[196]. Plants seem to be quite resistant to most pests and diseases[196]. The flowers are closed at fertility and so seem to be almost exclusively self-pollinating[196]. Plants are day-length neutral and have matured crops as far north as latitude 64°north in Finland[196]. Although used in much the same way, this species is not very closely related to quinoa, C. quinoa[196].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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