Scientific Family
Chenopodiaceae
Synonyms
Chenopodium aridum, Chenopodium fremontii, Chenopodium wolfii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2 inches to 2 feet
Riparian
No
Erect and grows to 2 feet in height, sometimes remaining much smaller.
Ovate to triangular-ovate leaves; seeds arranged horizontally, maturing unevenly in a flower cluster and separating easily from the fruit; flower clusters with mealy particles distinguish this from other Chenopodium sp.
Habitat
Open dry sandy areas and other disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
900
High elevation
11000
Flower Characteristics
Flower clusters are composed of many minute flowers which have five slightly mealy/powdery, barely visible lobes. Flower clusters are several per stem found terminally and in leaf axils.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are green to magenta and coated lightly in pinkish powdery dust. Leaves are up to 1-1/3 inches long and have smooth edges and sometimes a few lobes.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Oval in shape, 1/10 inch long, loosely coating a tiny seed.
Fruit type
Achene
Black seed less than 1/16 inch.