Scientific Family
Nyctaginaceae
Synonyms
Boerhavia erecta L. var. intermedia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Boerhavia erecta
Height
To 20 inches
Riparian
No
Loosely clumping, with erect stems up to 20 inches. Tiny pink flowers appear at the end of stems singly or in clusters.
Ultimate divisions of the inflorescence that are umbellate with pedicels of equal lengths distinguishes this from Boerhavia erecta , which has unequal pedicels. Occasionally not all pedicels attach at same point and flowers may be borne singly.
Habitat
Arid, rocky, or disturbed areas. Gravelly washes, flats. Can be weedy in urban areas.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
300
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Tiny, less than 1/8 inch. Clusters of 3 to 6 flowers at the tips of at least some branches, all individual flower stems originating from a common point, with other terminal branches having a single flower or paired flowers.
Flower color
Pink, pinkish-white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems erect, freely branched with sparse hairs. Leaf blades broadly lanceolate or ovate with slightly wavy margins. Leaves are unequal in size, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
5-angled; less than 1/8 inch.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown, grayish-brown