Chenopodium nitrariaceum

Description

Branched spinescent shrub to c.2 m high,dioecious or monoecious.Leaves alternate,frequently clustered,spathulate to linear,to 5 cm long,usually to 5 mm wide,sparsely covered with collapsed vesicular hairs.Inflorescence terminal,paniculate,to 30 cm long though usually much less,spiny.Flowers unisexual or bisexual,1.5–2 mm diam.Perianth segments 5,fused in the lower half.Male flowers with 5 stamens and a rudimentary gynoecium c.1 mm long;occasionally producing seed.Female flowers with minute staminodes or none;ovary pubescent;stigmas 2.Seed horizontal to vertical,c.1 mm diam.,reddish-brown to black.