Alhagi maurorum

Alhagi maurorum_camelthorn_Eitan Ferman_cropped
Photo: Eitan Ferman

Synonyms: Alhagi pseudalhagi

Common names: camelthorn

Alhagi maurorum (=A. pseudalhagi)(camelthorn) is an herbaceous perennial or shrub (family Fabaceae) found in the central valley, southeastern Sierra Nevada and portions of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of California. It favors arid agricultural areas, grasslands, meadows and desert riparian areas. One camelthorn plant can spread rapidly (about 10 m per year in all directions) by developing many new plants from its large creeping root system. Plants may resprout from roots left behind after mechanical removal, and the roots are stimulated to resprout by fire. Camelthorn seeds are also known to disperse over long distances.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: -*?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Alhagi maurorum Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Alhagi maurorum_flowers, leaves, and stem_copyright_CDFA(DeanKelch)
    Alhagi maurorum (camelthorn) flowers, leaves, and stem. Photo: &#169 Dean Kelch, CDFA
    Alhagi maurorum_fruits_copyright_CDFA(DeanKelch)
    Alhagi maurorum (camelthorn) fruits. Photo: &#169 Dean Kelch, CDFA
    Alhagi maurorum_infestation_copyright_CDFA(DeanKelch)
    Alhagi maurorum (camelthorn) infestation. Photo: &#169 Dean Kelch, CDFA