Lamb’s Quarter: The Wild Spinach That Fed a Generation
During the Great Depression, one humble plant helped keep people nourished—especially in urban areas where food was scarce. It wasn’t something cultivated or bought, but a wild green that showed up uninvited in empty lots, along roadsides, and between sidewalk cracks. That plant is lamb’s quarter ( Chenopodium album ), also known as wild spinach or goosefoot , named for the distinctive shape of its leaves. Where It Grows Lamb’s quarter thrives in disturbed soil —you’ll find it in hayfields, gardens, construction sites, and neglected city spaces. It’s a resilient pioneer plant that often springs up where the ground has been recently turned or left bare. Once you recognize it, you’ll see it everywhere. How to Identify Lamb’s Quarter Leaf shape: Diamond- or goosefoot-shaped (hence the nickname) Height: Can grow up to 36 inches tall Leaf texture: Young leaves often have a pale, powdery coating (a natural wax) that rinses off easily Growth pattern: Upright...