Erect and profusely branched plant with solitary flowers in the leaf axils. Not a true thistle. Plants become tumble weeds at maturity.
Many-branched hairy reddish striped stems; young plants have succulent stems and leaves that harden with age; leaves alternate, without stems, thread-like, sharp-tipped; solitary pink and white flowers in leaf axils, no petals; small shiny black seeds.
Habitat
Widespread on disturbed ground.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers minute, and without petals, perfect (male and female flower parts), sepals pink and white. They grow in the axils of leaves in the upper branches.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Early leaves are up to 2 inches long, string-like and soft. Later leaves are narrow and sharp-tipped.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1-seeded (utricle), surrounded by the persistent, often winged sepals. Seed capsules look like pink or orange flowers.
Tiny seeds are shiny black. Seeds spread as mature plants break off at ground level and are scattered by the wind as tumbleweeds. Rapid germination and seedling establishment occur after only brief and limited amounts of precipitation.