I think quinoa looks pretty, at least once the seed head develops. But before that, it does look very much like all the other chenopod weeds.
It is because Chenopodium (Amaranthacea Family in general) barely form mycorhizal connection which would help balance/buffer the PH thus Balancing out the Mineral Levels.
That being said, I’m pretty sure the ability to partner up with mycorhizae can be selected for by both Breeding & Horizontal Gene Flow.
According to this, Spinach often forms endo mychorrhizae (Despite it being Phylogenically close to Strawberry Spinach & other Chenopodium). However all the other Amaranthace Genera are non mychorrhizal.
In other words, Domestication for a second time. Funfact, Melons were Domesticated Twice so Why can’t other crops be domesticated twice too?
Nice! Sam Thayer says to use it as a Spice (In small amounts to flavor food). Photogenically they are quite seperated from all the other Chenopodiums, enough to warrent becoming a different genus. Therefore It’s now called Dysphania ambrosioides. I bet you could grow them side by side & not have them cross.
This Phylogenic Tree should clear up the confusion on what can cross with what.
It’s funny that Orach (Atriplex spp.) & Spinach (Spinacia) fit within chenopodium, meaning this could’ve easily been lumped under chenopodium genus but were left out before any of this was ironed out.
Very funny you mention that, cuz according to that phylogenic tree, Atriplex is the closest to all the other True Chenopodium species. Even closer than Chenopodiastrum.
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