Chenopodium fasciulosum var. muraliforme

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.