Cycloloma | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Amaranthaceae |
Subfamily: | Chenopodioideae |
Tribe: | Dysphanieae |
Genus: | Cycloloma Moq. |
Species: | C. atriplicifolium
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Binomial name | |
Cycloloma atriplicifolium | |
Synonyms | |
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Cycloloma is a monotypic genus which contains the sole species Cycloloma atriplicifolium, which is known by the common names winged pigweed, tumble ringwing, plains tumbleweed,[1] and tumble-weed.[2] This plant is native to central North America, but it is spreading and has been occasionally reported in far-flung areas from California to Maine to the Canadian prairie. It is considered an introduced species outside of central North America. This is a bushy annual herb forming a rounded pale green clump which may exceed 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) in height. It is very intricately branched, with toothed leaves occurring near the base. The spreading stems bear widely spaced flowers are small immature fruits fringed with a nearly transparent membranous wing. In autumn, the plant forms a tumbleweed.[3] The fruit is a utricle about 2 millimeters long containing a single seed.
The seeds are eaten as a food staple by Native American peoples including the Zuni and Hopi. The Zuni people mix the seeds with ground corn to make a mush.[4] The Zuni also grind the seeds, mix them with corn meal and make them into steamed cakes.[5] The Zuni also chew the blossoms and rub them all over the hands for protection.[6]