Blitum hastatum
Over's blite
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Family: Amaranthaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Blitum hastatum (Over's blite) is a native California herb in the Amaranthaceae family, recognized by . Differs from var. capitatum by small dry clusters, mountain habitat.
Over's blite is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and White and Inyo Mountains bioregions, growing in aspen groves, conifer forest, pinyon-juniper woodland, meadows, and riverbanks at elevations from 1,400 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, it has spreading stems branched from the base and small flower clusters 3 to 5 millimeters wide subtended by leafy bracts along the lower half of the spike.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Differs from var. capitatum by small dry clusters, mountain habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Aspen groves, conifer forest, pinyon/juniper woodland, meadows, riverbanks
Elevation: 1400--3000 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Montana, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Blitum hastatum blooms Jun--Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Chenopodiastrum: Chenopodium has mealy coating; Chenopodiastrum is smooth to slightly hairy without mealy texture.; vs Atriplex: Chenopodium has perfect flowers; Atriplex has separate male/female flowers with paired bracts on fruits.; vs Blitum: Chenopodium has dry fruits; Blitum has fleshy, berry-like fruiting calyxes.; vs Amaranthus: Chenopodium has mealy coating; Amaranthus is smooth with dense bristly flower spikes.; vs Rumex: Chenopodium has 5-parted flowers in clusters; Rumex has 6-parted flowers in whorls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blitum hastatum native to California?
Yes. Blitum hastatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Blitum hastatum bloom?
Blitum hastatum blooms Jun--Aug.
Where in California does Blitum hastatum grow?
Blitum hastatum occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, at elevations of 1400--3000 m.
What plant family does Blitum hastatum belong to?
Blitum hastatum is in the Amaranthaceae family, genus Blitum.
What habitat does Blitum hastatum grow in?
Blitum hastatum grows in Aspen groves, conifer forest, pinyon/juniper woodland, meadows, riverbanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.