Nitrophila
Encyclopedia
Nitrophila is a small genus of flowering plants in the amaranth family
sometimes known by the common name niterworts. The genus name is Greek for "soda-loving", as the plant grows in alkaline or salty soils, such as those rich in borax
. These are rhizomatous
perennials with fleshy foliage that helps them conserve water in environments high in mineral salts. The compact, papery flowers grow in the axils of the plant where the leaves join the branches. The fruit is a utricle
which contains shiny black seeds. Nitrophila species are found in temperate regions of the Americas.
Selected species:
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
sometimes known by the common name niterworts. The genus name is Greek for "soda-loving", as the plant grows in alkaline or salty soils, such as those rich in borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
. These are rhizomatous
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
perennials with fleshy foliage that helps them conserve water in environments high in mineral salts. The compact, papery flowers grow in the axils of the plant where the leaves join the branches. The fruit is a utricle
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
which contains shiny black seeds. Nitrophila species are found in temperate regions of the Americas.
Selected species:
- Nitrophila mohavensisNitrophila mohavensisNitrophila mohavensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common name Amargosa niterwort. It is endemic to the Amargosa Desert straddling the border between California and Nevada near Death Valley...
- Amargosa niterwort - Nitrophila occidentalisNitrophila occidentalisNitrophila occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common name boraxweed. It is native to the western United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in habitat with moist alkaline soils, such as salt pans. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb...
- boraxweed