7 Poisonous Lambsquarters Look-Alikes

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Learn to recognize Poisonous Lambsquarters Look-Alikes to avoid accidental poisoning. Some impostors, like Palmer Amaranth and Black Nightshade, resemble lambsquarters but have distinguishing features, such as larger size or toxic berries. Stay safe by recognizing differences in plants like Bittersweet Nightshade, Pokeweed, Carolina Horsenettle, Jimsonweed, and Ground Cherry.

Look at some Poisonous Lambsquarters Look-Alikes and learn the distinguishing factors to make out which one’s which.

Lambsquarters Look-Alikes
thegoodoldway

Lambsquarters has been renowned for its highly nutritious taste in various cuisines worldwide for centuries. However, there are a few Poisonous Lambsquarters Look-Alikes that can be fatal if eaten, making it essential to distinguish between them.

Look here at the weeds that look like squash plants


Poisonous Lambsquarters Look-Alikes

1. Palmer Amaranth

Lambsquarters like plant
inaturalist

Botanical Name: Amaranthus palmeri

Both of them have serrated leaves and similar growth. However, to draw the line of distinction, you must keep an eye on overall plant size and stem thickness, as Palmer Amaranth is larger and sturdier.

2. Black Nightshade

plants like Lambsquarters

Botanical Name: Solanum nigrum

This one looks a whole lot like Common Lambsquarters! If you want to find the difference between them, look for the toxic black-round berries of the Black Nightshade.

Most poisonous plants in the pea family can kill you

3. Bittersweet Nightshade

Lambsquarters like plants 2

Botanical Name: Solanum dulcamara

While this can be mistaken with Lambsquarters by untrained eyes, you must take a closer look. Unlike the lambsquarters, its leaves grow in pairs of 3. That is all you need to stay away from this poisonous plant.

4. Pokeweedpokeweed likes Lambsquarters

Botanical Name: Phytolacca americana

People often mistake Pokeweed for lambsquarters when the plants are young. The best giveaway of this imposter is the red stem (lambsquarters have green stems). Also, pokeweed does not have serrated leaves.

Check out the list of the most common toxic flowers 

5. Carolina horsenettle

horsenettle like Lambsquarters
waarnemingen

Botanical Name: Solanum carolinense

Horsenettle also has serrated leaves and grows to a height of 2-4 feet. You can tell that it’s different from a lambsquarters with its tiny white-yellow flowers. The serrations are also pointier.

6. Jimsonweed

jimsonweed like Lambsquarters
inaturalist

Botanical Name: Datura stramonium

Jimsonweed has a similar appearance to lambsquarters, too. But you can identify it by its large, trumpet-shaped flowers of white hues and the distinctive, spiky seed pods.

Growing Datura | How to Grow Jimsonweed

7. Ground Cherryground cherry looks alike Lambsquarters

Botanical Name: Physalis spp.

A ground cherry plant looks strikingly like lambsquarters due to its growth habit and leaves. But you can identify these as they have husked fruits that resemble small tomatoes.

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