Pests Under Eradication: Halogeton

HALOGETON
Galogeton glomeratus (Stephen ex Bieb.) C.A. Mey.

Halogeton is in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae).
It is an annual weed ranging in height from a few inches to about 2 feet. On poor soil with inadequate moisture, the plants may reach full development and mature seed, yet measure only about 1 inch in height. Plants are blue-green in the early spring and summer, turning red to yellow by late summer. Flowers are green and inconspicuous, and at maturity form showy white to yellow-red fanlike wings. Flowers and fruiting from July to October. It is a prolific seed producer, producing two types of seed, a black one that is produced during a short growing season, viable for one year and a brown one that is produced during a long growing season that remains dormant. These seeds are viable for 10 years or more.

Halogeton is adapted to the alkaline soils and semi-arid environment of the high desert. Halogeton is not an extremely competitive plant but grows readily along roadsides, sheep trails, overgrazed ranges and other areas where soil has been disturbed.

Mature halogeton plants contain a high concentration of sodium oxalate and are poisonous to sheep and cattle. The poison is not cumulative; death in livestock occurs when an animal eats a large amount of halogeton in a short period of time.

Populations of this noxious weed exist at two locations in the County, near Cima Road and Interstate 15 and along Highway 58 near Kramer Junction. Local ranchers, the California Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service support control of this weed.