Subshrubs 0.3–2 m. Roots extensively creeping, to 2.5 m underground. Stems often intri­cately branched, greenish, stri­gose to glabrate; sterile branch­lets thorn-tipped, these subtended by leaves or not, 1–5 cm. Leaves: stipules caducous, subulate to lanceolate-ovate, 0.5–3 mm; leaflet blade linear, elliptic, oblanceo­late to narrowly obovate, or oblong, 3–35 × 1–12 mm, surfaces usually minutely red-dotted. Racemes simple; axis prolonged as a thorn; bracts subulate, 0.5–1 mm. Pedicels 1–2 mm. Flowers: calyx persistent, 2–3.2 mm, glabrous; lobes connate or distinct, subequal, 0.2–0.5 mm (shorter than tube), relatively broad, margins sometimes puberulent; petals distinct, 7–9.5 mm. Loments 0.5–3 cm, usu­ally breaking between seeds; stipes nearly as long as calyx. Seeds yellowish to greenish brown or dark brown. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering May–Sep; fruiting Jul–Oct.
Habitat: Roadsides, ditches, disturbed agricultural areas, sandy areas along rivers, alkaline meadows, playas, arid regions.
Elevation: 200–1600 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Nev., N.Mex., Tex., Utah, Wash., w Eurasia.

Discussion

The stems and leaves of North American plants may be glabrous or pubescent, sometimes densely so. Young growth is almost always densely strigose; older stems and leaves may be essentially glabrous. The calyces and fruits are glabrous.

Alhagi maurorum is a state listed weed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Eradication programs have eliminated most populations in California (J. M. DiTomaso and E. A. Healy 2007).

For a discussion of the choice of a specific epithet for the plants growing in North America see D. Isely (1998) and R. C. Barneby (1989). C. S. Awmack and J. M. Lock (2002) have divided Alhagi maurorum into two subspecies based in part on indument of the ovary and the shape of the calyx. These traits are variable. North American plants belong to subsp. maurorum.

Alhagi camelorum Fischer is an illegitimate name that pertains here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.