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crunch weed, field needleleaf, soft needleleaf

Stems

procumbent or erect, branches spirally twisted, to 10 (–50) cm, glabrous to densely pubescent.

Leaves

green, 3–8(–12) × 1 mm, base somewhat clasping, hyaline, not bristly, apex softly spine-tipped.

Bracts

distalmost at least 3 times perianth length.

Seeds

1–1.5 mm.

Bracteoles

ca. equaling perianth length.

2n

= 18.

Polycnemum arvense

Phenology Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat Sandy soils
Elevation 0-200 m (0-700 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
BC; c Europe; s Europe to e Russia [Introduced in North America]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Once considered weedy, this species has been collected rarely in recent years.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 4, p. 262.
Parent taxa Chenopodiaceae > Polycnemum
Sibling taxa
P. majus
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 35. (1753)
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