Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
A tall, slender plant with drooping, narrow, linear leaves. Flowers are in umbels at leaf nodes along the stem. Identification notes: Perennial herb with milky sap. Erect stems stout, typically unbranched. Leaves narrowly linear, irregularly alternate, smooth or slightly hairy. Small flowers are greenish-yellow, often tinged with purple and borne in hairy lateral umbels. Height:
To 47 inches Habitat
Habitat Description: Sandy, rocky or limestone soils. Creeks, canyons, open woodlands and open pine forests. Plant Communities:
Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian Elevation: 4000 - 7200 feet Flower Characteristics
Color:
Pale green to yellow
Shape:
Irregular in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep Description:
The flower umbels are about 2 inches wide. The individual flowers have 5 pale greenish-white petals with purple tips and are about 3/8 inch wide. Hoods are broad, saclike, closely upright next to the central column.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
The narrow leaves are to 10 inches long and droop downward from the stem. Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit Color: Green Fruit Type: Pod Fruit Notes: The fruit is a curved conical pod to 6 inches long with lengthwise wrinkles and a pointed tip. The greenish pod turns tan with age and contains many flat, dark brown seeds. Seed Notes: Seeds have silk-like white hairs at one end that help to carry them away on the wind.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590