Anabasis L.

Key to species

1 Well developed leaves, 0.5-1.5 cm, with a terminal deciduous mucro Anabasis setifera

1 Leaves small or undeveloped, scale-like 2

2 Fruit perianth with 3 wings Anabasis syriaca

2 Fruit perianth with 5 wings 3

3 Creeping subshrub with short and wide internodes (up to 7 mm in diameter), frequently wider tha Anabasis prostrata

3 Upright subshrub, though it can seem creeping if nibbled by herbivores; internodes generally much longer than wide (up to 4 mm in diameter). Saharan and pre-Saharan distribution 4

4 Branchlets of the current year of an intense green colour when dried. Long thin articles (up to 12 × 2 mm). Leaves prominent, ending in an elongated tip, with little axillary hairiness Anabasis oropediorum

4 Branchlets of the current year light green in colour, whitish when dried. Shorter and wider articles (up to 9 × 4 mm). Leaves less prominent, obtuse and a dense axillary hairiness, lanate Anabasis articulata