Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Species category

Shrub or Tree

Common name

greasewood, black greasewood

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

Conical and compressed

Size

  • Length 4–5 mm 
  • Width 3–5.5 mm
  • Thickness 1–1.5 mm 

Color

Light brown 

Texture

Rough linear ridges

Other structures

Remnants of sepalSepal:
The outermost whorl of leaf-like structures attached to the receptacle. Collectively, all the sepals on a flower are called the calyx.
lobes present.

Identification notes

Seed unitSeed unit:
The structure usually regarded as a seed in planting practices and in commercial channels, consisting of a true seed with or without accessory structures, as defined in Section 2.6 of the AOSA Rules. See also true seed.
is found mostly as a complete flower with attached sepalSepal:
The outermost whorl of leaf-like structures attached to the receptacle. Collectively, all the sepals on a flower are called the calyx.
lobes. The term nutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).
is used because the seed is enclosed in a hard fruitFruit:
A mature ovary and any associated parts.
coat.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Chenopodiaceae

Valid name

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr.

Synonyms

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. var. baileyi (Coville) Jeps.

 Sarcobatus vermiculatus.  The seed unit is found mostly as a complete flower with attached sepal lobes; the term nutlet is used because the seed is enclosed in a hard fruit coat. 
Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The seed unit is found mostly as a complete flower with attached sepal lobes; the term nutlet is used because the seed is enclosed in a hard fruit coat.