Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Blitum nuttallianum, (Syn. Monolepis nuttalliana) is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common names povertyweed and Nuttall's povertyweed. It is native to North America, where it is widespread and common from Alaska to Mexico to New England. It can be found in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas, often favoring wet places. It is a fleshy annual herb producing two or more erect, reddish, hairless stems up to about 40 centimeters tall. The thick lance-shaped or arrowhead-shaped leaves are up to 4. 5 centimeters in length. Clusters of several rounded flowers each appear in the leaf axils and yield small fruits about 2 millimeters wide. Many Native American groups used this plant as a medicine and a food.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

10 - 16 in Tall

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Green

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest