Scientific Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Argythamnia neomexicana, A. californica, A. dressleriana, A. gracilis, A. micrandra, A. serrata var. magdalenae
Other common names
common silverbush
New Mexico ditaxis
Yuma silverbush
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual or perennial
Similar species
Ditaxis claryana, D. adenophora, D. cyanophylla, D. lanceolata, D. mercurialina
Height
4 to 14 inches
Riparian
No
Annual or short-lived perennial, to 14 inches tall; single-sexed flowers, much branched and densely hairy (pubescent) with stiff, coarse hairs.
Single-sexed flowers in axilary elongated clusters. The claws (narrow petal base) of the male flowers not united with the stamens. Leaves without glandular teeth, sometimes margins are serrated; appressed, long, silver hairs all over.
Habitat
Desert scrub, sandy and rocky slopes, calcareous soils and along washes.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Flower stems congested in leaf axils, <1/8 inch; 5 sepals pointed, long soft hairs, 1/8 to 1/4 inch; petals 5, smooth, egg-shaped, white with red-purple veins; male petals exceed sepals, female petals do not; leaf margins without gland-tipped teeth.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Broadly elliptic, narrow at base, pointed at tip, sometimes blunt, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches, margins entire or with a few small teeth; leaves longer, broader, greener, not as thick and less hairy during warm, wet conditions.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Depressed-globose capsule 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, densely long hairs.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green
Seeds egg-shaped, about 1/16 inch long, light brown, with shallow pits marked with radiating lines.