Chenopodium fasciulosum var. muraliforme, Aellen

Brenan, J. P. M, 1954, Chenopodiaceae (part: Chenopodium), Flora of Tropical East Africa 12, pp. 2-14 : 10

var. muraliforme Aellen

in F.R. 24: 344 (1928).

Type: Kenya, Mfc. Kenya, 2550 m" westward to the Kasorongai R., 1950 m., Meams 1814 (US, holo.!)

Leaves acute at apex. Teeth (on well-developed leaves) comparatively few, generally 7-20 (-25) on each margin,acute, mostly coarse, little teeth few.

Kenya. Nakuru District: Elburgon, Sept. 1933, Napier 2843 in Ö.M. 5252!; Kiambu District: Limxiru, Dec. 1927, Lyne Watt 1189!; Kericho District: Lumbwa, July 1934,Napier 3406 in CM. 6640!

Distb. K3, 4, 5; not known elsewhere. May occur in K6 on the Mau; confirmation wanted

Hab. (of species as whole). Insufficiently known; recorded from upland evergreen forest, by roadsides, and as a weed in cultivated areas and waste places; 1310-2440 m.

This very interesting species, known outside our area only from Ethiopia, is related to C. murale , whose leaves are often more cuneate at base than in C, fasciculosum and with different toothing. The seeds of C. murale are, however, very different, smaller, sharply keeled, with a persistent pericarp and rounded not elongate-branched pits on the surface of the testa. This is a good example of a frequent occurrence among goosefeet: where constant seed-diiferences reinforce vegetative differences which though clear are hard to convey in words.

Aellen in his original description of C. fasciculosum gives the range in size of seed as 1.25-2 mm.; I have not seen ripe seeds less than 1.5 mm.