oakleaf goosefoot, glaucous goosefoot, Chenopodium glaucum var. glaucum, Chenonopodium glaucum spp. euglaucum Aellen

Oxybasis glauca flowers and bears fruits from June until September and can produce up to 3,000 seeds (Larina 2008, USGS 2006). This annual herb is capable of self-pollinating to produce viable seeds (Mulligan and Findlay 1970). Shading from green plants may inhibit germination. Seeds with arrested germination may still remain viable and capable of complete germination if moved to a more favorable environment (USGS 2006).
Oxybasis glauca is one of the many members of the Oxybasis genus that is reported to produce saponins (Al-Jaber et al. 1992, Larina 2008).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental	Socioeconomic	Beneficial

Current research on the environmental impact of Oxybasis glauca in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.
Realized:
Oxybasis glauca is capable of naturally hybridizing with C. rubrum, which is native to Ontario, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (USDA NRCS 2012, Wisskirchen 2006).

Potential:
Oxybasis glauca could pose a competitive threat to Chenopodium spp. that extend into the Great Lakes for at least a part of their native range. These species include (but are not limited to): C. album, C. berlandieri, C. capitatum, C. foggii, C. humile, C. leptophyllum, C. overi, C. pallescens, C. pratericola, C. rubrum, C. salinum, C. simplex, C. standleyanum, and C. subglabrum (USDA NRCS 2012).

There is little or no evidence to support that Oxybasis glauca has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Realized:
Plants, such as O. glauca, that contain saponins have been blamed for non-fatal poisonings in livestock, including poultry and swine. However, recent research suggests that saponins might be beneficial to other species with rumen digestion systems (Cornell University 2009).

Potential:
This species is described as a widespread weed in Russia, invading crop fields and vegetable gardens (Larina 2008).

There is little or no evidence to support that Oxybasis glauca has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Potential:
Oxybasis glauca has the potential to enhance soil quality by improving soil texture, reducing soil salinity, and increasing soil organic matter (Duan et al. 2004). It is also able to take up mercury from contaminated soils. Application of thiosulphate greatly increases the solubility of mercury and increases phytoextraction by O. glauca (Wang et al. 2011).

Oxybasis glauca is reported to have some value as forage due to high protein content in its leaves; however, over fertilization and insufficient water can create high, potentially toxic, nitrate concentrations (Brotherson et al. 1980, Duan et al. 2004).

Chenopodium spp. are close relatives of quinoa and spinach, and the shoots and leaves are nutritious edible greens, while the seeds may be used as a substitute for quinoa when cooked (Plants for a Future 2025). However, Oxybasis glauca has tougher leaves than other varieties of goosefoot, making it a less ideal wild edible green, and seeds must be rinsed thoroughly to remove bitter, soapy-tasting saponins (Thayer, 2023).

Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.

Physical
The occurrence of O. glauca can be minimized in crop fields by timely spring tillage and early autumn plowing. Crop rotation with winter cereal grains may also be effective in controlling O. glauca (Larina 2008).

Chemical
There are no known chemical control methods for this species.

Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.