Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Halogeton
Chil’bit’ą́ą́h t’ó

Tall flowering stem of halogeton with its white flowers with pink centers
Matt Lavin
Halogeton flowers

Halogeton is an undesireable weed on rangeland. It was introduced into North America in about 1930 and has rapidly spread.

In larger quantities, it is poisonous, and sheep are the most susceptible. It contains toxic amounts of sodium, potassium, and calcium oxalates. Signs of poisoning include: depression, weakness, reluctance to move, drooling, coma, and death. The first signs of poisoning occur 2 to 6 hours after an animal ingests a fatal amount, and death occurs in 9 to 11 hours.

Halogeton cannot compete with healthy range plants. Therefore, control involves keeping a healthy cover of desirable forage plants.

Tiny, linear, succulent leaves, dusty green in color, along a pink stem
Matt Lavin
Halogeton growing on an open wasteland
Matt Lavin
Halogeton tends to grow on areas bare of other plants.
Scientific Name
Halogeton glomeratus
Plant Type
Forb
Growing Season
Cool Season
Poisonous, especially to sheep
Stem Placement
All basal
Habitat
Brushlands
Flower Colors
  • Red/Pink
  • Green
  • White
⚠
Poisonous, especially to sheep
⚠
Noxious, Invasive
For definitions, see the glossary.

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