Flowers of both are small and inconspicuous, although when the bushes are in full bloom, they are quite noticeable. Even so, it is the unusual and eye-arresting appearance of these shrubs which appear as leafless masses of robust thorns, making them a conspicuous feature of the desert and arousing the interest and curiosity of observers.
In some locations these shrubs are sufficiently abundant to form thickets which repel livestock. Fruits of _H. emoryi_ remain on the plant for years, and it is usually possible to identify each season’s fruit clusters by the degree of weathering. These masses of brown to black fruits are very noticeable and are often mistaken for parasitic growths or the results of a disease. A somewhat similar shrub, sometimes attaining tree size and superficially resembling the Paloverde (see p. 36), is the Mohave-thorn (_Canotia holocantha_). It is found at elevations between 2,500 and 4,500 feet, over much of southern and western Arizona and northern Sonora, and blossoms from May to August.
Common names: BUR-SAGE, BURROWEED, BURROBUSH Arizona desert: (_Franseria deltoidea_). Greenish. December-April. California desert: (_Franseria dumosa_). Greenish. April-November. Sunflower family. Size: Up to 3 feet high.
Noticeable because of its ashy foliage, Bur-sage is a low, rounded, white-barked shrub, the several species of which are very common on the dry plains and mesas up to 3,000 feet. The flowers are small, without petals, and colorless inasmuch as they are wind-pollenated and do not need to attract insects.
It is classed by A. A. Nichol as one of the major plants of the Paloverde-Bur-sage-Cacti plant association, one of the three plant communities of the Sonoran Desert.
Bur-sage is one of the favorite foods of burros and sheep, and is said to be preferred also by horses.
Common names: INKWEED, SEEPWEED, IODINEBUSH, (_QUELITE-SALADO_) Arizona and Texas deserts: (_Suaeda suffrutescens_). Greenish. March-July. California desert: (_Suaeda torreyana_). Greenish. July-September. Goosefoot family. Size: Up to 6 feet tall, and branching.
Seepweed, which is usually an indicator of alkaline soil, is browsed to some extent by cattle when other feed is scarce. The young plants are used for greens by the Pimas and other desert Indians, sometimes eaten with cactus fruits. _Pinole_ was made by roasting the seeds. Coahuila Indians extracted from the plants a black dye which they used in art work.