Scientific Family
Polygonaceae
Other common names
Native American pipeweed
bladderstem
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual or perennial
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
No
A plant with a rosette of oval leaves that lie flat against the ground. Erect, leafless stems arise from the leaves and are swollen just below branching. Tiny, round clusters of yellowish-
green flowers grow at stem tips and divisions.
Lower portion of the flower stem is inflated, flower stem branches above the inflated area to form a diffuse flower-head; leaves are all basal and ovate.
Habitat
Rocky or sandy desert slopes, washes and mesas.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Tiny, star-like flowers are in a round cluster on threadlike stalks at the ends of stems and at stem divisions.
Flower color
Yellowish-green
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are oval with long stems in a basal rosette. Leafless, erect stems are inflated just below branching.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes are three-sided.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown