© Alexey P. Seregin, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Overview
Oxybasis spp. is a genus of roughly 8 to 15 annual and short-lived perennial herbs in the family Amaranthaceae, segregated from Chenopodium spp. on the basis of seed and flower characters. Plants reach 4 to 32 inches (10 to 80 cm) tall, with erect to spreading or prostrate stems that are often tinged red. The leaves are alternate, 0.4 to 4 inches (1 to 10 cm) long, triangular to lance-shaped or shallowly lobed, and frequently coated with a mealy, granular bloom beneath. Tiny flowers, each about 0.04 inch (1 mm) across, lack petals and gather into dense axillary and terminal clusters; the perianth is green and the seeds are lens-shaped and black or red-brown. Several species, such as O. rubra and O. glauca, grow on saline or nitrogen-rich disturbed soils including shorelines, field margins, and waste ground. The genus spans temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with introductions elsewhere. Members are wind-pollinated and complete much of their growth within a single season. Because the flowers are minute and green, the genus carries limited horticultural use and several species behave as agricultural weeds. Identification to species depends on seed surface texture and seed orientation, which require magnification.
Native Range
Oxybasis spp. occurs across temperate Europe, Asia, and North America, with several species reaching North Africa; some have naturalized in temperate South America and Australia. Many species grow on coastal saline flats, riverbanks, and disturbed inland soils.Suggested Uses
Oxybasis spp. is rarely planted deliberately and has little ornamental application. A few species have a history of use as leafy potherbs or for their edible seeds within their native ranges. In gardens the genus more often appears as a self-sown volunteer on disturbed soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 2'8"
Width/Spread6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green, often red-tinged, mealy beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established