| camelthorn | USDA PLANTS Symbol: ALMA12 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Shrub or Subshrub |
| Alhagi maurorum Medik |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Fabales: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
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| Synonym(s): camel thorn | |
| Native Range: S. Russia to Himalaya (REHD); Temp. & trop. Asia, Europe (GRIN); | |
Camelthorn is a perennial shrub that grows 2-3 ft. (0.6-0.9 m) tall. Small, pea-like flowers are produced in June to August. These brown to maroon flowers extend from sharp yellow spines of 1 to 2 in. (2.5-5 cm) in length located along the rigid branches. Seed pods are constricted between the individual seeds and are tipped with a small beak. Camelthorn is found in arid, agricultural areas and riverbanks of the western U.S. where it has access to water during the growing season. The plant rapidly colonizes an area by producing new plants from its creeping roots. It is native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia and was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s as a contaminant in alfalfa seed. |
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Fruit(s); Fruit! John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Many plants with flowers John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stem(s); Closeup of stems John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Closeup of flowers John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Thorns Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Thorns! John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Utah) Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) Wupatki National Monument (Arizona) |
