Scientific Family
Zygophyllaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Kallstroemia parviflora
Height
2 inches
Riparian
No
This plant grows in thick carpet-like masses on sandy substrates. The branching stem has compound leaves which are each made up of several widely spaced pairs of small oval-shaped green leaflets.
Petals are up to 1/8 inch long, orange-yellow fading to white; the beak of the fruit is stout, up to 1/8 inch long and shorter than the fruit (nutlet).
Habitat
This plant is found in sandy or disturbed soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Individual flowers have 5 rounded or oval petals and a ring of 10 stamens.
Flower color
Orange-yellow to white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are opposite and pinnate in pairs. Stems can be up to 2 feet long and sprawl along the ground.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit is a small body of 10 conjoined nutlets about 1/8 inch wide, which splits apart.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Brown