Sowbane - introduced (*Chenopodium murale)

Family: Chenopodiaceae (Chickweed family).

Native of Europe and Asia.

Occurrence: A widespread in weedy places, especially where there is extra moisture.

Identification:

• it is an erect plant with small flowers in leafy clusters
• the flowers are green when young, changing to red
• the leaves are shiny green and coarsely toothed
• the stems are usually red-striped
• the plant may be almost odourless, or have an unpleasant smell when crushed.

Similar species:
Both sides of the leaf of Fat Hen (*Chenopodium album) are covered in white, mealy scales. The leaves of Sowbane are greener (especially with age) and the lobes are sharper pointed.
Stinking Goosefoot (*Chenopodium vulvaria) is a prostrate plant with a most obnoxious odour when crushed.

Name. Chenopodium: Goosefoot; cheno: goose; pod: foot, the leaves of some species have the appearance of a goose's foot.