Description:
The collector, David Brenner made a taxonomic error based on poorly developed stressed leaf blades. PI 689077 should be merged with PI 698435 since both are C ficifolium collected at the same place and time. This accession PI 689077 (DB 2018008) was accessioned as Chenopodium strictum, and PI 698435 C. ficifolium was collected at the same place and date. Unfortunately, in December 2021 the 18nca001 seed lot of PI 689077 was inspected and no seeds of C. strictum were found (matching Ames 34019). It is possible that all the C. strictum seeds were removed in seed cleaning. Some additional observations: The collector's book by David Brenner noted "sharp edged seeds, pericarp adherent, three-veined blades" the sharp edge seeds part is consistent with C. strictum. A fall 2021 (row 736) planting of PI 689077 grew as 100% C. ficifolium. A herbarium specimen of Tampa 2018008 from the original collection time in Tampa was inspected and determined to be C. ficifolium by seed inspection, although the leaves were ambiguous to interpret. The original images taken during the collection are all C. ficifolium although environmental conditions resulted in small leaf blades with diminished lobes that make them resemble C. strictum. Also reference Ames 34399 segregated from the same location.