Glaucous Goosefoot

Oxybasis glauca is an annual plant that can reach up to 70 cm in height. It is typically branched from the base and may form a cushion-like growth at high elevations. The stems are often prostrate to ascending, rarely straight. The leaves are up to 6 x 2 cm in size, petiolate, and have a cuneate base. They are oblong or lanceolate in shape and may be dentate or lobate with 2 to 5 lobes, though they can also be entire. The upper surface of the leaves is green, while the lower surface is grey or whitish. The inflorescence is leafy and loose. The perianth has 3 to 5 segments that are almost free with hyaline margins and are keeled along the midrib, opening at the fruiting stage. The fruit is 0.65 to 0.8 mm in diameter, with a smooth, whitish pericarp that is often ruptured. The seeds are reddish, lack a keel, and exhibit spatial heterospermy, with embryos in both vertical and horizontal positions, as well as structural (latent) heterospermy, indicated by varying thickness of the seed-coat testa.

Oxybasis glauca is commonly found in disturbed habitats, such as trampled areas, roadsides, and agricultural fields. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it has become an invasive species. The plant is also found in high elevation regions, where it may form cushion-like growths. It thrives in a variety of soil types and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions.

Oxybasis glauca is not typically cultivated for ornamental or agricultural purposes. However, it can be grown in controlled environments to study its unique reproductive traits, such as spatial and structural heterospermy. The plant requires well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is relatively easy to grow and can tolerate a range of environmental conditions, making it a suitable candidate for botanical research.

Oxybasis glauca is not commonly used for commercial or traditional purposes. However, it is of interest to botanists and researchers due to its unique reproductive strategies, including spatial and structural heterospermy. These traits make it a valuable subject for studies on plant adaptation and evolution. Additionally, as an invasive species in North America, it is studied for its ecological impact and potential control methods.