Ambrosia dumosa, the burro-weed or white bursage, is a common constituent of the creosote-bush scrub community throughout the Mojave desert of California, Nevada, and Utah and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Ambrosia dumosa has been studied to determine allelopathic interactions with creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, which produces a chemical that inhibits the growth of A. dumosa. Other studies have suggested that A. dumosa roots produce a chemical that causes them to grow away from conspecific roots, preventing competition for water resources. In addition to burrow-weed, A. dumosa is also commonly called bur sage, burro weed, and burro bush.

Ambrosia eriocentra is a North American species of ragweed known by the common names woolly bursage and woollyfruit burr ragweed. It is native to the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah), where it grows in the deserts and surrounding ridges up to about 1700 meters in elevation. Ambrosia eriocentra is a rounded shrub reaching over 1. 5 meters in height. The stems are brownish gray in color, with young twigs coated in light woolly fibers and older branches bare. Leaves are lance-shaped and up to 9 centimeters long, not counting the winged petioles. The leaves have rolled lobed or toothed edges. As in other ragweeds, the inflorescence has a few staminate (male) flower heads next to several single-flowered pistillate heads. The fruit is a green burr with long, silky white hairs and several hair-tufted sharp spines. The burr is around a centimeter long.

Ambrosia ilicifolia is a species of ragweed known by the common names hollyleaf burr ragweed and hollyleaf bursage. It is native to the deserts and mountains of western Arizona, and the adjacent Sonoran Desert areas of southeastern California, Sonora and Baja California. It grows in dry washes, scrub, and other local habitats. Ambrosia ilicifolia is a small, matted shrub under 1 metre (3. 3 ft) in height. Its stiff, straight branches are green, glandular, and leafy when young, and light gray and leafless when older. The holly-like leaves are leathery but brittle, oval-shaped to rounded, and edged with spine-tipped teeth. They are green, veiny and sticky with resin. The inflorescence holds several spiny staminate (male) flower heads next to larger pistillate (female) heads. Each pistillate head produces usually two fruits, which are yellow-brown burrs nearly 2 centimeters wide. Each burr is rounded, sticky, and covered in hooked spines. The name ilicifolia is from the Ilex, scientific name for the genus containing hollies, plus "folius," Latin for "leaf. "

Hymenoclea monogyra (also, Ambrosia monogyra) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name singlewhorl burrobrush. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in deserts and adjacent mountains and dry valleys. This is a thickly branching shrub reaching heights from one to four meters. The thin stems are covered in narrow, hairy leaves and flower in large flower clusters of staminate and pistillate flowers. The staminate flowers have translucent white corollas and the pistillate flowers are rounded, fruit-bearing structures. The fruit is an achene with a single whorl of several papery wings.

Ambrosia psilostachya is a species of ragweed known by the common names Cuman ragweed, perennial ragweed, and western ragweed. It is native to most of North America including all of southern Canada, nearly all of the continental United States, and the northern half of Mexico. It is a common plant in many habitat types, including disturbed areas such as roadsides. It can be found in parts of Eurasia as an introduced species. This is an erect perennial herb growing a slender, branching, straw-colored stem to a maximum height near two meters, but more often remaining under one meter tall. Leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and vary in shape from lance-shaped to nearly oval, and they are divided into many narrow, pointed lobes. The stem and leaves are hairy. The top of the stem is occupied by an flower cluster which is usually a spike. The species is monoecious, and the flower cluster is composed of staminate (male) flower heads with the pistillate heads located below and in the axils of leaves. The pistillate heads yield fruits which are achenes located within oval-shaped greenish-brown burs about half a centimeter long. The burs are hairy and sometimes spiny. The plant reproduces by seed and by sprouting up from a creeping rhizome-like root system. This plant had a number of medicinal uses among several different Native American groups.

Ambrosia pumila is a rare species in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common names San Diego Ambrosia and San Diego Ragweed. It is native to a very limited area in far southern California and Baja California where it grows in a variety of habitats along the coastal strip, inland valleys and foothills at elevations below 2,000 ft. This is a perennial herb not exceeding half a meter in height. The leaves are gray-green, fuzzy, and divided into numerous minute lobes to give a feathery appearance. They are up to 13 centimeters long, not counting the winged petioles. The flower cluster is tipped with staminate (male) flower heads above several larger pistillate (female) heads. The pistillate heads each yield usually one fruit, which is a fuzzy burr only a few millimeters wide with short, soft spines. However, it rarely produces viable seed, usually spreading by its rhizome, forming clonal groupings. It is adapted to dry habitat, but only on upper floodplain fringes, or adjoining depressions containing vernal pools or similar structures. It is a plant of open habitat and is not tolerant of heavy shade. If not given supplemental summer water it will become deciduous but will come back from the rhizome after winter rain. This is not an easy plant to find and infrequently used in residential gardens. It is important for restoration projects in areas of appropriate habitat, and it may be useful in gardens seeking to specialize in rare plants of southern California.

Hymenoclea salsola is a flowering plant in the daisy family known by several common names, including white burrobrush, cheesebush, and desert pearl. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is a common plant of the local deserts, where it thrives on sandy soil, alkaline environments, and disturbed sites. . This is a perennial shrub which forms a sprawling bush up to eight feet high. It has thin branches and narrow, needlelike leaves. The foliage has a pungent cheeselike scent when crushed, a trait which gives the plant the common name "cheesebush". It is covered in plentiful white or yellow flowers and then pearly, winged fruits in white, yellow, or pink. This species easily hybridizes with the common ragweed species Ambrosia dumosa.

Burrobrush (Hymenoclea salsola var. salsola) is a native shrub that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry flats and washes, at elevations from 0-5900 feet.

Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a beautiful shrub that grows primarily in Northern California and the Sierra mountains. Western Serviceberry has year-round interest, with showy apple-like white flowers that appear in spring, edible blueberry-tasting fruits in the summer, fall color foliage, and bare branches in the winter.

Western Serviceberry typically is a rounded shrubby form, though it can grow more upright, especially in shady areas. It can be pruned for either a flatter or more rounded, open spreading shape.

Western Serviceberry is fairly easy to grow in soil with excellent drainage, though it prefers loam or sandy loam. In its natural range, at higher elevations, it prefers full sun, needing little or no watering in summer, and is fast growing and long lived - reaching 6 feet in 3 to 6 years and lasting about 60 years. Outside its natural range, it prefers part shade and regular irrigation, and can be slow growing and short lived.

Western Serviceberry is an important food source for birds and animals, and is still grown commercially for human consumption.

Glabrous Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia var. pumila) is a native shrub that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada region. It tends to grow in open places, at elevations from 4500-8000 feet.

Pale Serviceberry (Amelanchier pallida) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-11000 feet.

Amelanchier utahensis, the Utah serviceberry, is a shrub native to western North America. This serviceberry grows in varied habitats, from scrubby open slopes to woodlands and forests. It is a spreading plant, reaching a maximum of 5 meter in height. It is deciduous, bearing rounded or spade-shaped often toothed green leaves and losing them at the end of the season. In April and May the shrub blooms in short flower clusters of white flowers, each with five widely-spaced narrow petals. The fruits are pomes. The Utah serviceberry is eagerly browsed by desert bighorns, elk, and mule deer, as well as many birds and domesticated livestock.

Amorpha californica is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae (Legume) family known by the common name California False Indigo. It is native to California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it grows in chaparral and woodland habitat. This is a hairy, thornless shrub with leaves made up of spiny, oval-shaped leaflets each tipped with a resin gland. The scattered flower clusters are spike-like racemes of flowers, each flower with a single purple petal and ten protruding stamens. The fruit is a legume pod containing usually a single seed. There are two recognized Varieties: Var. californica is the more common; var. napensis is a rare plant found only in a few counties north of San Francisco. This species is somewhat neater in appearance than its close cousin, Amorpha fruticosa, which is more common in San Diego, Orange and Riverside Counties. The Amorpha genus is host to the California Dogface Butterfly, the official state butterfly. This species is said to be somewhat difficult in cultivation and is more often used in restoration projects.

California False Indigo (Amorpha californica var. californica) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in wooded, shrubby, or open slopes, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Amorpha fruticosa is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by several common names, including desert false indigo and bastard indigobush. It is found throughout eastern Canada, northern Mexico, and most of the continental United States. In California it is native to the southwestern part of the state with scattered occurrences in the central valley. A. fruticosa grows as a hairy, thornless shrub which can reach 3 to 4 meters in height and spread to twice that in width. It is somewhat variable in morphology. The leaves are made up of many hairy, oval-shaped, spine-tipped leaflets. The flower cluster is a spike-shaped raceme of many flowers, each with a single purple petal and ten protruding stamens with yellow anthers. The fruit is a legume pod containing one or two seeds.

This plant likes moist (but not saturated) areas, and will spread wherever it finds suitable moisture. It is loosely branched and can become leggy with age; it needs plenty of room to spread out. Its spreading tendency and fibrous root system make it useful for bank stabilization. It is winter deciduous so will be less attractive for several months out of the year. It is the host plant for the Southern Dogface butterfly.

Amphipappus is a North American genus in the daisy family. It is native to desert regions of the southwestern United States, in southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and southeastern Utah. There is only one known species Amphipappus fremontii. It is a shrub up to 60 cm (23. 5 in) tall. The flower heads are yellow and have both ray florets and disc florets. Its rounded clumps are scattered about dry, rocky areas.

Amphiscirpus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the sedge family containing the single species Amphiscirpus nevadensis, which is known by the common name Nevada bulrush. This plant was formerly included in genus Scirpus. It is native to western North America, including the western Canadian provinces and the northwestern United States, as well as southern South America. It grows in wet and seasonally wet habitat, often on saline and alkaline soils. It is a perennial herb growing from a small, hard rhizome. The erect stems are stiff, ridged, and cylindrical, not three-angled. It lacks aerenchyma, a trait which makes it different from many of its relatives. The stems are sheathed by tough long leaves. The inflorescence is a headlike cluster of a few cone-shaped spikelets accompanied by a long, stiff bract which looks like an extension of the stem.

Amsinckia douglasiana is an uncommon species of fiddleneck known by the common name Douglas' fiddleneck. It is endemic to the coastal Santa Monica Mountains and Santa Ynez Mountains of southern California. Amsinckia douglasiana is a bristly annual herb producing coiled, fiddlehead-shaped inflorescences of yellow-orange flowers similar to other fiddlenecks. The flowers are over a centimeter wide and often have fewer than five lobes. This species is heterostylous. Amsinckia douglasiana is a bristly annual herb producing coiled, fiddlehead-shaped inflorescences of yellow-orange flowers similar to other fiddlenecks. The flowers are over a centimeter wide and often have fewer than five lobes. This species is heterostylous. It is also known as an occasional introduced species on the East Coast of the U. S.

Amsinckia eastwoodiae is a species of fiddleneck known by the common name Eastwood's fiddleneck. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the varied plant habitat of the hills, mountains, valleys, and coastlines. This is a bristly annual herb similar in appearance to the other fiddlenecks. Its coiled flower cluster has tubular orange flowers up to 2 centimeters long and 1.5 wide at the face.

Forked Fiddleneck (Amsinckia vernicosa var. furcata) is a rare native annual herb that grows in Central California, primarily in the San Joaquin Valley, the South Coast Range and South Coast regions. It tends to grow in loose shale slopes, at elevations from 200-4600 feet.

Amsinckia grandiflora is a species of fiddleneck known by the common name large-flowered fiddleneck. This is a wildflower endemic to California and considered a Critically endangered species on the state and national level. The last remaining native populations are on the grasslands near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Alameda County, California. Other populations have been established in nearby protected areas. The plant is endangered due to a number of factors, including invasive plants, grazing, and development of the valuable land. The last remaining native populations are on the grasslands near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Alameda County, California. Other populations have been established in nearby protected areas. The plant is endangered due to a number of factors, including invasive plants, grazing, and development of the valuable land. This fiddleneck has low reproductive output; it produces few seeds per plant. It is also heterostylous, making the plant self-incompatible, which means individuals cannot breed with other individuals of the same morph. This often prevents reproduction. This fiddleneck is also sensitive to habitat; it grows on sedimentary loam in mesic areas of its range. The Livermore Laboratory is actively monitoring the status of this California endemic.

Amsinckia intermedia (Common Fiddleneck, or Intermediate Fiddleneck) is a species of plant in the Boraginaceae family (also called the Borage or Forget-me-not family). It is one of the common fiddlenecks of western North America, distributed from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to Mexico. Like other members of the genus, it has a terminal flowering whorl somewhat shaped like the head of a violin or fiddle, hence the name fiddleneck. The flowers are yellow-orange, orange, or dark yellow.

Amsinckia lunaris is an uncommon species of fiddleneck known by the common name bentflower fiddleneck. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the San Francisco Bay Area and the woods of the coastal and inland mountains just north. This is a bristly annual herb with coiled flower clusters of tubular orange flowers similar to those of other fiddlenecks, except for the characteristic bend in the flower tube. The flowers are about a centimeter long and less in width at the face.

Amsinckia lycopsoides is a species of fiddleneck known by the common name tarweed fiddleneck. It is one of the more common species of fiddleneck. It is native to much of western North America from California to British Columbia. It can be found in a wide variety areas. Amsinckia lycopsoides is a bristly annual herb similar in appearance to other fiddlenecks. Its coiled inflorescence contains yellow flowers about a centimeter long and nearly the same in width, with a five-lobed corolla closed at the mouth by the bulges in the lobes.

Amsinckia menziesii (Menzies' Fiddleneck) is a species of plant in the Boraginaceae family, the Borage or Forget-me-not family. It is the "common fiddleneck" and has two varieties. A great annual for wildlife, and grows abundantly in the garden. Care must be taken to ensure it does not crowd out other annuals. Attracts large numbers of goldfinches in late spring when it sets seed.

Amsinckia spectabilis is a species of fiddleneck known by the common names seaside fiddleneck and woolly breeches. It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California, where it grows in sandy habitat, including direct coastline. Amsinckia spectabilis is a bristly annual herb similar in appearance to other fiddlenecks. The leaves are sometimes edged with fine teeth. The coiled inflorescence holds tubular yellow flowers up to 2 centimetres (0. 8 in) long and 1. 5 centimetres (0. 6 in) wide at the face.

Amsinckia tessellata is a species of fiddleneck known by the common names bristly fiddleneck and devil's lettuce. It is native to much of western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico to Baja California, where it is a common plant in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas. This is a bristly annual herb similar in appearance to other fiddlenecks. Its coiled flower cluster holds yellow to orange tubular flowers up to a centimeter wide at the corolla, which often has fewer than five lobes.

Amsinckia vernicosa is a species of fiddleneck known by the common name green fiddleneck. It is endemic to California, where it is an uncommon member of mountain, desert, and valley habitat in several regions. Amsinckia vernicosa is a hairy annual herb somewhat similar to other fiddlenecks, but waxy in texture and pinkish in color along the lower stem. The coiled inflorescence holds yellow or orange tubular flowers up to 2 centimeters long and 1. 5 wide at the corolla.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows primarily in northern and central California. It is fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form, with active growth during the spring and summer.

Flowers are yellow and striking, blooming in early summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. Pearly Everlasting tends to grow in disturbed or recently burned places, at elevations from 0 to 8500 feet. This species is not to be confused with those plants in the genus Pseudognaphalium that are similar in appearance and also known as Everlasting.

Andropogon glomeratus is a species of grass known by the common names bushy bluestem and bushy beardgrass. This grass reaches heights approaching two meters and has large, fluffy cream-colored flower clusters. Each dense, tufted flower cluster has several pairs of hairy spikelets. The leaves may reach over a meter in length. This grass is native to the Americas, where it is widespread. It has also naturalized in other areas. It is cultivated as an ornamental. This species also has potential as a noxious weed and is easily spread via seed contamination. It is a pest plant in Hawaii, where it has been documented on the island of Kauai.

Androsace occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name western rockjasmine. It is native to much of southern Canada and the central United States, where it occurs in open habitat such as prairie, especially in moist areas. This is a diminutive annual herb reaching a maximum height of about 7 centimeters. It grows from a basal rosette of oblong hairy leaves no more than one or two centimeters long. It produces an erect inflorescence which is an umbel atop a thin, naked peduncle. The umbel is composed of 5 to 10 tiny flowers, each on a pedicel up to 3 centimeters long. The flowers have a white or pinkish five-lobed corolla inside a cup of pointed reddish sepals.

Pygmyflower Rockjasmine (Androsace septentrionalis ssp. subumbellata) is a native annual or perennial herb that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry and rocky places, at elevations from 10000-13200 feet.

Angelica arguta is a species of angelica known as Lyall's angelica. It is native to western North America, where it grows in coniferous forests from British Columbia to Utah. This is a taprooted perennial herb growing an erect, hollow stem to heights between one and two meters. It produces large, somewhat triangular leaves made up of many toothed, pointed leaflets each up to 9 centimeters long. The top of the stout stem is occupied by an flower cluster in a compound umbel arrangement, with the webbed rays of the umbel up to 10 centimeters long each. The flowers are generally yellowish.

Angelica breweri is a species of angelica known as Brewer's angelica. It is native to the high mountain ranges of eastern California and just into western Nevada, where it is a resident of coniferous forests. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing an erect, hollow, hairy stem to heights between 1 and 2 meters. The large leaves are composed of many highly dissected leaflets, each up to 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a compound umbel with up to 50 long rays holding clusters of hairy white flowers. The base of each pedicel has a thick webbing. The fruit is a pair of ribbed bodies, each containing a seed.

Angelica californica is a species of angelica known as California angelica. It is found in northern California and occasionally in southern Oregon. Its habitats are the dry, low-elevation slopes of the foothills and coast ranges. It bears umbels of white angelica flowers.

Angelica callii is an uncommon species of angelica known as Call's angelica. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it grows by forest streams. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing a rough, hollow, erect stem to heights between 1 and 2 meters. The leaves are made up of highly dissected toothed leaflets each up to 13 centimeters. The inflorescence is a compound umbel with up to 50 rays bearing clusters of hairy flowers.

Angelica genuflexa is a species of angelica known as kneeling angelica. It is native to northwestern North America from Alaska to northern California, where it grows in moist areas in coniferous forests such as streambanks. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing an erect, hollow stem to heights between 1 and 2 meters. The leaves are up to 80 centimeters long and are made up of many dissected, toothed leaflets, each up to 10 centimeters long. The flower cluster is a compound umbel of up to 50 rays bearing clusters of small flowers.

Angelica hendersonii is a species of angelica known as Henderson's angelica. It is native to the west coast of the United States from Washington to central California, where it grows in the coastal sage scrub and other habitat on the immediate coastline. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing a branching erect stem to heights between about 1 and 2 meters. The basal leaves are made up of oval-shaped leaflets each up to 10 centimeters long, with toothed edges and white woolly undersides. The woolly flower clusters are compound umbels of up to 60 rays holding clusters of fuzzy flowers. The flowers yield fruits which are paired bodies nearly a centimeter long each containing a seed.

Angelica kingii is a species of angelica known as King's angelica. It is native to the western United States, especially the Great Basin region. This is a taprooted perennial herb varying in shape and size. It produces an erect, hollow stem to heights between 30 centimeters and two meters. The large leaves are composed of many lance-shaped leaflets each up to 12 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is a compound umbel with up to 14 long rays each holding clusters of small hairy flowers. The fruit is a pair of bodies about half a centimeter long each containing a seed.

Angelica lineariloba is a species of angelica known as poison angelica. It is native to the Sierra Nevada and nearby slopes and flats in California and western Nevada. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing an erect, hollow stem up to about 1.5 meters tall. The large leaves are made up of many highly dissected leaflets which are linear to threadlike in shape. The flower cluster is a compound umbel with up to 40 rays holding clusters of small white to cream flowers.

Angelica lucida is a species of angelica known by the common names seacoast angelica and sea-watch. It is also one of many species in the celery family which are casually called wild celery. This plant is generally similar in appearance to other angelicas, with tall, dense umbels of yellowish-white flowers. As its common names suggest, this plant is found most often along the coastline. Its distribution includes the east and west coasts of North America, plus parts of east Asia. It is considered an endangered species in some eastern United States.

Angelica tomentosa is a species of angelica known as woolly angelica. It is native to the coastal mountain ranges of California and southern Oregon, where it grows in wooded areas. This is a taprooted perennial herb producing an erect, hollow stem to heights generally between 1 and 2 meters. The leaves may be nearly a meter long but are actually made up of many leaflike leaflets, each up to 12 centimeters long and lance-shaped to oval and sometimes toothed. The flower cluster is a compound umbel of up to 60 long rays each bearing clusters of whitish or yellowish flowers.

Anisocarpus madioides (syn. Madia madioides) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name woodland madia. It is native to the west coast of North America from Vancouver Island in British Columbia to the Peninsular Ranges of southern California. It is a plant of forest and woodland habitat. This is a perennial herb growing up to about 75 centimeters in maximum height, its stem coated in rough hairs and stalked resin glands. The lower leaves are up to 12 centimeters long, oppositely arranged, and fused around the stem at the bases. The upper leaves are much smaller and often alternately arranged. The flower cluster produces several flower heads on long peduncles, each with a rounded involucre of hairy phyllaries. The heads bear yellow ray florets up to a centimeter long and many disc florets. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long, usually with a small pappus.

Antennaria argentea is a North American species of flowering plants in the daisy family known by the common name silver pussytoes or silvery everlasting. It is native primarily to Oregon and to northern and central California with additional populations in Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Antennaria argentea grows in dry coniferous forests. This is a perennial herb forming a basal patch of woolly grayish oval-shaped leaves a few centimeters long and many slender erect stems up to 40 centimeters tall. It is dioecious, with male and female plants producing different types of flowers. Both flower types are clustered in many flower heads with whitish phyllaries. The female plants produce fruits which are achenes with a soft pappus a few millimeters long.

Antennaria corymbosa is a North American species of flowering plants in the daisy family known by the common name flat-top pussytoes or meadow pussytoes. It is native to western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan) and the Western United States south as far as Tulare County in California and Rio Arriba County in New Mexico. It grows in moist, cool areas such as mountain meadows and riverbanks. Most of the populations are found in the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades, and the Sierra Nevada. Antennaria corymbosa is a small perennial herb growing from a basal patch of thin, gray, woolly, spoon-shaped leaves one or two centimeters long. It produces several erect stems no more than 15 centimeters tall, each holding an inflorescence of several flower heads. It is dioecious, with male and female plants producing different types of flower heads, which are generally similar in appearance. Each head has a surface of dark-dotted white phyllaries and contains tiny individual flowers. Female flowers yield fruits which are achenes no more than a millimeter long, not counting the soft pappus of 3 or 4 millimeters.

Antennaria dimorpha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name low pussytoes. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Nebraska, where it is generally found in dry areas. This is a small mat-forming perennial herb growing in a flat patch from a thick, branching caudex. The spoon-shaped leaves are up to about a centimeter long and green but coated with long, gray hairs. The erect flower clusters are only a few centimeters tall. Each holds a single flower head lined with dark brown and green patched phyllaries. It is dioecious, with male plants bearing heads of staminate flowers and female plants bearing heads of larger pistillate flowers. The fruit is an achene with a long, soft, barbed pappus.