Appearance
Alhagi maurorum is a perennial shrub that grows 2-3 ft. (0.6-0.9 m) tall. Sharp yellow spines that are actually modified stems are from 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) in length.

Foliage
The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate from 0.25-1.25 in. (0.6-3.2 cm) long with smooth margins.

Flowers
The small, pea-like flowers extend from the spines located along the rigid branches. They are produced from June to August. These flowers are brown to maroon in color.

Fruit
Seed pods are constricted between the individual seeds and are tipped with a small beak.

Ecological Threat
Alhagi maurorum is found in arid, agricultural areas and riverbanks of the western U.S. where it has access to water during the growing season. The plant rapidly colonizes an area by producing new plants from its creeping roots. It is native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia and was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s as a contaminant in alfalfa seed.

Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf

Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
 

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Arizona Noxious Weeds
• California Invasive Plant Council
• California Noxious Weeds
• Colorado Noxious Weeds
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Nevada EDRR
• Nevada Noxious Weeds
• New Invaders of the Northwest
• New Invaders of the Southwest
• New Mexico Noxious Weeds
• Oregon Noxious Weeds
• Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
• Texas Noxious Weeds
• Utah Noxious Weeds - Early Detection
• Washington Noxious Weeds
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References