On May 21, 2024, species observation data of Chenopodium ficifolium Sm., a common weed from the Zhongguancun area in Haidian District, Beijing, was published on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). This data release provides valuable information on plant biodiversity for both the scientific community and the general public. Chenopodium ficifolium, belonging to the Amaranthaceae family and the Chenopodium genus, is widely distributed across China, with the exception of Tibet.
Chenopodium ficifolium, also known by common names such as goosefoot, lamb’s quarters, and pigweed, is an annual herbaceous plant characterized by its powdery coating. The plant features an erect stem that can reach up to 50 centimeters in height, with prominent ridges and colored stripes. The leaves are ovate to oblong, measuring 2.5 to 5 centimeters in length and 1 to 3.5 centimeters in width. They typically exhibit three shallow lobes, with the central lobe’s sides nearly parallel, and a short pointed tip. The leaf margins are deeply serrated, and the lower part of the leaf often has two additional shallow lobes.
The flowers of Chenopodium ficifolium are nearly spherical, deeply five-lobed with broad-ovate segments that do not spread open. The back of each segment features a prominent ridge. The plant has five protruding stamens and two thread-like styles. The fruit, enclosed within the flower segments, adheres to the seed, which is about 1 millimeter in diameter, black, glossy, and slightly blunt around the edges, with a distinctive hexagonal pattern. The plant’s flowers are bisexual, forming dense clusters that create terminal panicle-like inflorescences.
Chenopodium ficifolium is widespread across various provinces in China, thriving in diverse environments. It is commonly regarded as an agricultural weed but also flourishes in urban settings, often found in abandoned lots, along roadsides, and in garbage heaps. The recently recorded Chenopodium ficifolium was observed next to a pile of debris in a residential area of Haidian District, illustrating its resilience and adaptability.
The publication of this observation data on GBIF not only enriches our understanding of Chenopodium ficifolium’s distribution and ecological characteristics but also highlights the importance of documenting urban biodiversity. The Zhongguancun area’s inclusion in this global database underscores the significance of urban biodiversity monitoring and contributes to broader conservation efforts.
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is an international network and data infrastructure funded by governments worldwide, aiming to provide open access to data on all forms of life on Earth. The China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation is a data publisher of GBIF. Since joining GBIF in 2018, the Chinese association has been committed to serving scientists, citizen scientists, and conservationists, contributing to biodiversity informatics with the collective efforts from science community and citizen scientists from China.
Reported by Wendy
Editor: Sara
Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776
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