Scientific Family
Nyctaginaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual or perennial
Similar species
Boerhavia intermedia
Height
8 to 47 inches
Riparian
Yes
Erect plant with leaves mostly in the basal half and with a branched, rounded inflorescence of tiny pink flowers.
The branched inflorescence is not elongated like most other Boerhavia species. It has some false umbels with pedicels (flower stalks) of unequal lengths. The fruits are without hairs.
Habitat
Flats, slopes and woodlands. Disturbed soil and stream beds.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Tiny 5-petaled white flowers tinged with pink in a branched, rounded inflorescence that has false umbels with flower stalks of unequal lengths.
Flower color
White to pink
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
December
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems sometimes reddish-tinged. Leaves mostly in basal half; gland-dotted below.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits with 5 narrow ridges and broad, wrinkled grooves. 1 to 11 fruits per cluster. Fruits are pale greenish to straw or tan (light brown).
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale greenish to light brown