This small green plant grows about 8-12 inches high in the semi-arid central mountains of Afghanistan at elevations of 7000-9000 feet above sea level. Local villagers often cook and eat it. Unfortunately it causes severe allergic skin reactions resulting in hospitalization of many people every spring. Occasionally it even cause severe burn-like injuries of the face and hands of children. In the local language, Dari, it is called "shoorgack". Does anyone recognize it and know an English or scientific name for it? Thank you very much.
If I did not read this phrase about skin effect I would say this is a Chenopodium species. Is it confirmed that exactly this plant causes skin reaction?
Hmmn... Looks like Chenopodium album, but that is not a toxic plant. A very widely distributed weed, often eaten like spinach. Perhaps another plant is being confused with this and causing the reactions?
The first picture seems to contain two different species, Chenopodium album (large) and something like Chenopodium glaucum (smaller and with narrow leaves with wavy edges). There are some indications about moderate allergic reaction to Chenopodium and some toxic effect of oil contained in flowering parts, especially in Chenopodium ambrosioides.
