Salsola vermiculata sensu lato is a taxonomically complicated complex of several closely related subspecies or species. In this treatment, plants in California are segregated into a distinct species, S. damascena . Damascus saltwort is listed as a Federal noxious weed because it can act as an alternate host for the virus that causes curly-top in sugarbeets, tomatoes, and melons. Introduced from Syria in 1969 an experimental plant for improving the forage of arid rangelands.
Cotyledons linear, fleshy, green.
Subsequent foliage usually densely covered with minute hairs. Foliage typically covered with minute hairs , but sometimes becoming glabrous at maturity. Stems slender, straight, ascending to erect, woody at the base, branched throughout. Leaves alternate, 3-9 mm long , oblong to ovate, with rounded tips . Often there are several reduced leaves about 1-4 mm long in the axils.