Distinctive small, round, flat seed pods and small white 4-petaled flowers on multiple terminal stems; distinguished from other similar species primarily by its flattened, hairy fruiting flower stalk.
Biennials or annuals, minutely hairy, may have cylindrical hair-like growths; stem leaves usually have stems; sepals deciduous, stamens 2, deciduous; flattened, hairy fruiting pedicels; seed pods are hairy, at least on the margins, and are not wrinkled.Â
Habitat
Found in playas (dry lakes), washes, arroyos, beaches, saline soils, roadsides and other disturbed areas.
Flower Characteristics
Small, white, elongataded clusters, each 3/4 to 4 inches long, crowded on larger plants; flattened flower stalks, 1/16 to 1/4 inch long, without hairs or having soft hairs; 4 oblong sepals, 1/16 inch long; 4 petals in cross formation, 1/16 inch long.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stemmed basal leaves do not form distinct rosettes, early-withering; stem leaves alternate, short-stemmed; blades lance-like with pointed end at base, 3/4 to 3 inches long and 1/4 to 1-1/4 inches wide, highly divided to toothed margins.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Round to oval, flat, 1/16 to 1/8 inch across, with notch at the tip; persistent style absent or present but inconspicuous; <1/16th inch long, much smaller than the notch where it sits.
Brown; oval; 1/16 inch long.