Starts from a low cluster of leaves; becomes tall and upright, or branched, shrubby in form. The entire plant is sticky (glandular) and often looks dirty; old stems white with hairs.
Annual herb. Oval leaves near base of the plant become elongated and narrow higher on the stem, not clasping. Erect, bright green, glossy, hairy stems. Tubular white or greenish-white flowers; sepals triangular and shorter than the flower tube.
Habitat
Washes, sandy slopes, roadsides, and along fields.
Flower Characteristics
White to greenish-white, slightly trumpet-shaped or tubular flowers in clusters at the end of stem and along the stem where leaves meet the stem. Flower funnel-shaped, tinged with green near throat, glandular-hairy.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lower leaves spear-shaped with smooth edges and pale midribs; upper leaves narrow and smaller, similar bristles; all leaves are hairy. Leaf stem and midrib on the underside have short, bristly hairs. Glandular and hairy throughout.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule ovoid, pointed at the tip, 1/3 inch long.
Numerous irregular to kidney-shaped brown seeds.