Polycnemum
Polycnemum arvense
needleleaf, polycnemum
crunch weed, field needleleaf, soft needleleaf
erect or procumbent, not jointed, not armed, not fleshy.
procumbent or erect, branches spirally twisted, to 10 (–50) cm, glabrous to densely pubescent.
alternate;
blade awl-shaped, triangular in cross section, rigid, margins entire, apex terminating in soft or stiff, flattened spine.
green, 3–8(–12) × 1 mm, base somewhat clasping, hyaline, not bristly, apex softly spine-tipped.
distalmost at least 3 times perianth length.
solitary flowers in axils of leaflike bracts.
bisexual;
perianth segments 5, membranous;
stamens usually 3 (occasionally 1–2 with fertile anthers);
stigmas 2-branched, filiform.
vertical, flattened, seed coat black, pitted or smooth;
embryo annular, perisperm copious.
1–1.5 mm.
structures: bracteoles 2;
utricles indehiscent or dehiscence circumscissile;
pericarp white and somewhat fleshy, ± equaling seeds, membranous.
ca. equaling perianth length.
= 9.
= 18.
Polycnemum
Polycnemum arvense
Species ca. 7 (2 in the flora).
There are few records of Polycnemum in North American herbaria and populations are less widespread than reported in the early part of the 20th century. Reports of Polycnemum arvense from British Columbia have not been reconfirmed in recent years, and the present-day range of P. majus may be restricted to Canada. The report of P. verrucosum (a species with glaucous leaves and elongated perianth bracts) from Nova Scotia is based on a specimen that fits the morphological description of P. majus. Under-reporting may occur because Polycnemum is confused easily with immature specimens of Salsola.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Once considered weedy, this species has been collected rarely in recent years.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist
USDA Plants Database
BC
PNW Herbaria
