'Lost crops' could have fed as many as maize

phys.org ^ | 12/23/2019 | by Talia Ogliore, Washington University in St. Louis

[MightyMama]

I’ll agree that it’s less work, but I have lamb’s quarters growing wild in my yard and it’s a lifesaver for me. The leaves are edible, do everything culinarily that spinach does, AND they dry for use over the winter. I’d be all over that even without the seeds.

[Ellendra]

As a leafy crop instead of a grain, I definitely agree! It’s higher in calcium than spinach, too. I’m not much of a spinach eater, but I keep several patches of lamb’s quarters for my chickens. They go nuts over it!

When comparing it to corn, I was focusing on the grain aspect alone.

[SunkenCiv]

Fascinating dream!