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 Leaves Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Stems Gregory Gust @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual
General Desc:
Erect to spreading with several to numerous slightly hairy, greenish stems that branch profusely from base, very brittle at nodes when mature, breaking easily at nodes when dry; when plant begins to die the green stems turn bright orange-red.
Identification notes: Leaves mostly basal; branched diffusely; largely devoid of leaves, the few stem leaves are often very reduced; tube-shaped flower bracts at the end of branches open into a tiny white or greenish-yellow flower, mostly hidden behind by 6 hooked bracts.
Height:
2 to 8 inches
Habitat Description: Found on sandy desert slopes, flats, and washes.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub,
Elevation: Below 2500 feet
Color:
White, greenish-yellow
Shape:
Inconspicuous in clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Mar - May
Description:
Tube of bracts about 1/4 inch long with a tiny white or greenish-yellow flower at the end, flowers are mostly hidden behind the usually 6 hooked, toothed and ridged bracts. 2 bracts at base of flowers.
Leaf Color:
Green, orange-red with age
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Basal
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Mostly basal with stalks about 3/4 inch long; blade inverse lance-like to narrowly elliptic, 1 to 2-1/2 inches long, soft hairs; modified leaf at lower nodes, needled-shaped above 1/8 long to 1/4 inch. Stem sheaths formed from stipules.
Fruit Color: Dark brown to blackish
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Achenes are slightly lens-shaped, slightly protruding, 1 per flower.
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