Global InformationBlitum capitatum information
| Strawberry blite | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Blitum |
| Species: | B. capitatum
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| Binomial name | |
| Blitum capitatum L.
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Strawberry blite (Blitum capitatum,[1] syn. Chenopodium capitatum) is an edible annual plant, also known as blite goosefoot, strawberry goosefoot, strawberry spinach, Indian paint, and Indian ink.
It is native to most of North America throughout the United States and Canada, including northern areas. It is considered to be endangered in Ohio. It is also found in parts of Europe and New Zealand.
Fruit are small, pulpy, bright red and edible, resembling strawberries, though their taste is more bland.[2] The juice from the fruit was also used as a red dye by native North Americans. The fruits contain small, black, lens-shaped seeds that are 0.7–1.2 mm long.[3] The greens contain vitamins A and C; they are edible raw when young or as a potherb.[2] If raw they should be eaten in moderation as they contain oxalates. The seeds may be toxic in large amounts.[4]
Strawberry blite is found in moist mountain valleys.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Fuentes 2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Angier, Bradford (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 216. ISBN 0-8117-0616-8. OCLC 799792.
- ^ Johnson, Derek; Kershaw, Linda; MacKinnon, Andy; Pojar, Jim (1995). Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland. Lone Pine Publishing. ISBN 1-55105-058-7.
- ^ "Strawberry-blite (Chenopodium capitatum)". Northern Bushcraft. Retrieved 27 April 2011.