Pearly Globe Amaranth
Gomphrena nitida
Observed along Sycamore Canyon, Pajarito Mountains, Sta. Cruz Co., Arizona, USA. 28 Sept. 2016.
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LEAVES: The alternate, simple leaves are larger near ground level and smaller on the upper erect stems.
FLOWERS: The dense heads of small flowers make this resemble a composite. What appears to be small pink or white petals
are actually papery white bracts.
ANNUAL: Usually grows with the onset of summer rains producing herbaceous stems to a height of mostly 20 to 50cm.
RANGE: This plant tends to be found in gravel soil in riparian zones. Southeastern Arizona to Texas and northern Mexico.
FRUIT: Each of the many small flowers in the head gives rise to a capsule holding a singe seed.
UNARMED