Family - Amaranthaceae

Stems - No info yet.

Leaves - No info yet.

Inflorescence - No info yet.

Flowers - No info yet.

Arrow shows minute flower.

Seeds.

Flowering - July - October.

Habitat - Waste ground, cultivated areas, disturbed sites, roadsides, railroads.

Origin - Native to U.S., introduced into Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

Other info. - This weedy species can be found throughout Missouri. The plant can be identified by its spreading, light yellow to whitish stems and axillary inflorescences. The minute flowers are subtended by aristate bracts. The shiny black seeds, which are about 1mm in diameter, are typical of the genus.
Once the plant completes its life cycle, the entire plant breaks off near the base and blows in the wind. This has given the plant its common name - "Tumbleweed."

Photographs taken off Missouri Bottom Rd. near the St. Louis Airport, MO., 8-7-05.