Jerusalem-oak goosefoot (also known just as Jerusalem-oak) is an erect, branching, densely glandular-villous and strong-smelling annual growing to 24" tall.  Its leaves are alternate, oval to oblong in outline, pinnately-lobed below and generally entire above, short-petioled, with a blade about 1/2" to 2" long.  The lobes in turn are often toothed. The inflorescence is an elongate panicle of loosely-spreading or arching cymes.  The flowers are tiny, subsessile and pubescent, with no petals and a deeply five-parted calyx.  Jerusalem-oak is an occasional weed that likes sandy and/or disturbed places below 7000' throughout most of California and ranging north to Canada and to the eastern U.S.  It is naturalized from Eurasia and blooms from June to October.  These pictures were taken in August in the parking area at the base of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lift in the San Gabriel Mts.

Click here for Latin name derivations: 1) Dysphania  2) botrys.
Pronunciation: ken-o-PODE-ee-um BOT-ris.
Formerly Chenopodium botrys.
Click here for Botanical Term Meanings.