Scientific Family
Chenopodiaceae
Synonyms
Monolepis chenopodioides, M. nuttalliana
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
Trailing to 12 inches
Riparian
Yes
Stems 1 to many from a base, somewhat succulent, trail then rise towards tips, covered by white mealy powder when young; leaves triangular, lance-like or somewhat narrow; flowers in dense clusters in leaf axils, without stalks, greenish tinged pink.
Primarily alkaline areas; spreading growth, mealy white surfaces when young; leaves alternate, succulent, triangular to spatula-like, lower leaves arrow-like; flowers small, 1-petaled, greenish, sometimes tinted with pink, in dense clusters in leaf axils.
Habitat
Usually moist, subalkaline clays, often in partial shade or open disturbed habitats.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
325
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Perianth (sepals and petals) has only 1 bract-like sepal and no petals, sepals spatula-like, very small, less than 1/16 inch long, found in clusters in the leaf axils; 1 stamen, 2 stigma.
Flower color
Greenish, tinged pink
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
January
Last bloom month
April
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems 1 to many from a base, trail, mealy white surfaces when young. Leaves triangular, lance-like or somewhat narrow, narrow or wedge-shaped, margins may have a few teeth towards tip, tip blunt to rounded; leaves towards stem tips may be un-lobed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Lentil-shaped, minutely pitted, whitish, membranous, net-veined, 1-seeded utricles (small thin-walled, bladder-like inflated fruit), fruits readily separate from seeds.
Fruit type
Other
Dark brown to black, laterally flattened, broadly rounded.