Bassia Species, Fivehook Bassia, Fivehorn Smotherweed

I have not grown this plant. Fivehorn smotherweed (Bassia hyssopifolia) is an introduced plant that has naturalized in 2 far West Texas ...Read Morecounties and can be found naturalized in other states. Its tiny blooms that have no petals and are green. Its fruit is a 1-1.5 mm diameter utricle and has 5 "hooks" or :horns". Each utricle contains one dark brown seed. The utricle does not split open to release the seed.

This plant is said to poison sheep. The general symptoms of poisoning to sheep include weakness, an unsteady gait, uncoordinated movements, tetany, coma and death. Some signs of photosensitization have been noted in some sheep that ingested this plant and subsequently died..

Fivehorn Smotherweed Bassia hyssopifolia is Native to Texas and other States.