Resedaceae

Mignonette Family

Desert Spike

FAMILY: Mignonette family (Resedaceae) – Oligomeris genus.

SPECIES: Desert spike, lineleaf whitepuffs, or flaxleaf whitepuffs (Oligomeris linifolia (Vahl) J. F. Macbr.).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Seeds of desert spike are small, black, smooth, shiny, and soft enough to eat without any processing required. When eaten fresh, the flavor is neutral to grain-like, and the texture is delicately crunchy. An acrid aftertaste may be present. Any method of cooking improves the flavor. Toasting adds a pleasant accent to the starchy overtone. Since the seeds are naturally black, determining the right amount of toasting requires a little guesswork. Of course, rising smoke is a sure sign that they’re done! Boiling the seeds is less hazardous and yields a hearty broth with a satisfying thickness. The broth is clear rather than black, or green if enough seeds are still immature. Desert spike seeds are an ideal ingredient for soups, pancakes, or porridges. Gathering a supply is tedious. The plants are highly productive, but the overall seed volume is insignificant. Seeds readily fall out of the capsules. Even a light wind can disperse the whole crop. Gathering is best done in the morning, or whenever the wind is minimal. Flower spikes mature from the bottom to the top, over a period of several days, eventually turning brown when the seeds are ready to harvest, which is usually from April to June (but potentially anytime). Desert spike is often one of the earliest seed resources. The chaff and seeds weigh about the same, but the chaff is generally larger. Sifting works better than winnowing to separate the two. A screen of appropriate size allows the seeds to pass through while leaving the chaff behind. Desert spike typically blooms in response to winter precipitation, but it can bloom anytime precipitation is sufficient. Colonies establish throughout the northern Sonoran Desert (also called the Colorado Desert). Desert spike is one of the most abundant plants in that area. Spotting the colonies at harvest time is fairly easy due to the lack of competing plants on the desert terrain. Exactly where desert spike is native to is disputed, but it now grows in hot, dry, barren places around the world. Overall, desert spike is a good resource.

NOTES: The desert spike field assessments were based on colonies from southern California. Wendy Hodgson in Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert (pp. 222-223) described in great detail a plant called “teddá” believed to be desert spike (Oligomeris linifolia). From earlier passages about teddá, she relayed an ingenious way it was gathered by the Cochimi Indians of Mexico. Before the capsules matured, the numerous stems that arose from ground level were tied in a fashion that prevented the capsules from falling to the ground. This is a great idea. One of the biggest problems I noticed with desert spike is how readily the seeds are released. Knotting the stems together would probably prevent this problem. It would also prevent the wind from shaking out the seeds. Apparently, it worked well for the Cochimi Indians. I never tested this harvesting technique, but I confide in the wisdom that Native Americans kindly passed on. If you ever try this technique, keep in mind that timing would be very important. The plants would need to be harvested just prior to maturing, and giving the roots some water would encourage seed production.

IDENTIFICATION: Only 1 species of the Oligomeris genus is found in the United States, and no other members of mignonette family occur in the Southwest.

Description of desert spike (Oligomeris linifolia): FORM upright annual or short-lived perennial plant about 7-30 cm tall; LEAVES simple; alternate; sessile; blades linear; margins entire; surface hairless; FLOWERS irregular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in terminal spikes or spike-like racemes; bracts present; sepals 4; petals 2, white, free or united only at the bases; pistils 1, compound, with 4 partially united carpels; stigmas 4; stamens 3-4; FRUITS capsules somewhat globe-shaped, about 2-3 mm in diameter, 8-lobed, 4-toothed, and open at the summits; SEEDS numerous, shiny, and black; HABITAT deserts; southern California to Texas and southward; usually below 1,000 meters (about 3,000 feet) elevation; blooming February to June.

REFERENCES: Desert spike (Oligomeris linifolia): seeds Hodgson (pp. 222-223).