Burrobrush or Cheesebush

Burrobrush,

also known as cheesebush or cheeseweed (Hymenoclea salsola) is a member of the aster family found in south and mid-eastern California, southeastern Nevada, southwestern Utah, Arizona and northwestern Mexico. It has inconspicuous flowers only 3/8 inch wide

which are followed by flower-like fruits

with five shiny, cream-colored wings.

The leaves are dark green, slender and thread-like. The plants are straggly and rounded

with numerous, slender branches.

It gets the name cheesebush from the fact that the pungent odor of crushed leaves smells like cheese.