Camelthorn

Camelthorn

Alhagi maurorum Medik.

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

seedling ▲

mature, flowering plant ▲

closer view of flowering stems with spines ▼ ▲

flowering stem with spines ▼ ▲

flowers and fruit ▼ ▲

young, non-flowering, spiny stems ▼ ▲

plant with many seed pods ▲

stem with many seed pods ▲

Colony of many plants near Winslow, Arizona ▲

Not found in midwest, but a serious weed south and west of midwest area.

Camelthorn: (not in Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

An invasive, creeping perennial weed in the Legume family with fairly deep creeping roots
Found in rangeland and dry riverbeds in southwestern U.S.---not found in Midwest, yet
Forms dense thickets of 1-3 foot tall stems with tiny single leaves
Has brght green, wiry stems, covered with 0.5-1 inch long thorns at bases of leaves or at tips of short branch spurs
Pea-like flowers are reddish-pink and about 1/2" tall and slightly narrower
Slender, segmented pods 1-2" long follow flowers; pods are tan to brown or black
Found in dry washes, riverbeds, saline soils of southwest
Not palatable to livestock and can overtake grazing lands