Allenrolfea occidentalis

Allenrolfea occidentalis, known also as the iodinebush, is a low-lying shrub found in the southwest United States, and north Mexico. It grows in sandy, sometimes salty, alkaline soils, in dry lakes. Its green stems are fleshy, and appear jointed at the internodes between the segments, which are often so short, they are almost round. The leaves are flaky scales on the surface of the stem.

History and naming
The seeds of the iodinebush were used as food in the United States and Mexico during prehistory.

The name of the genus was named after British botanist, Robert Allen Rolfe by Otto Kuntze.