Global InformationChenopodium nuttalliae information
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2017) |
| Chenopodium nuttalliae | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Chenopodium |
| Species: | C. nuttalliae
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| Binomial name | |
| Chenopodium nuttalliae Saff.
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| Synonyms | |
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Chenopodium berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae | |
Chenopodium nuttalliae is a species of edible plant native to Mexico. It is known by the common names huauzontle (literally "hairy amaranth", from the Nahuatl huauhtli 'amaranth' and tzontli 'hair') and Aztec broccoli. Other variations of the name include huauhzontle, huazontle, huanzontle, and guausoncle. It is related to other commonly-consumed plants such as quinoa, amaranth, and epazote, as well as the common American weeds goosefoot and lambsquarters. The plant grows upright branches with red tinted green leafy stems. Huauzontle stems superficially resemble baby broccoli, although the stems are much thinner, and support fewer of the leaves.
Like amaranth, huauzontle is very resistant to cold and dry climates, and grows even in poor soil. In addition, it has a high nutritional level, which makes it an excellent grain alternative in regions with difficulties sowing other types of cereals.[1]
During the rule of Moctezuma, huauzontle and amaranth were the fourth most important crops, after maize, beans, and chia. Many towns paid tribute to the Aztec empire in huauzontle.[2][3]
- ^ "Chenopodium berlandieri - ficha informativa". www.conabio.gob.mx. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
- ^ Redwood City Seed Company Catalog of Ecoseeds 2014.
- ^ Charles B. Heiser Jr. and David C. Nelson (1 September 1974). "On the origin of the cultivated chenopods (Chenopodium)" (abstract page). Genetics. 78 (1): 503–5. doi:10.1093/genetics/78.1.503. PMC 1213209. PMID 4442716.