Atriplex amnicola
Swamp saltbush, Swamp Saltbush
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Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Atriplex amnicola (Swamp saltbush) is a non-native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by shrub habit, leaf shape, and distinctive fruit bracts.
Swamp saltbush is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas in urban drainages and beaches at elevations below 15 meters. Flowering from February to October, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in terminal and axillary clusters. Growing to less than 1.5 meters tall with many spreading branches, it forms a dense, multi-stemmed structure. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic to ovate, 10 to 30 millimeters long, with entire to irregularly toothed edges and tapered or lobed bases. The plant's distinctive fruit bracts are ovate to fan-shaped, 4 to 6 millimeters long, fused along their edges and convex on both sides.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; key features are shrub habit, leaf shape, and distinctive fruit bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Urban drainages, beaches
Elevation: < 15 m
Outside California: native to Australia
Bloom period
Atriplex amnicola blooms Feb-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Artemisia: Atriplex leaves have bead-like scales; Artemisia leaves are finely divided and aromatic when crushed.; vs Ambrosia: Atriplex has simple scaly leaves; Ambrosia has deeply lobed or divided leaves with coarse hairs.; vs Extriplex: Atriplex has 3-5 calyx lobes on male flowers and two seed colors; Extriplex has exactly 4 lobes and uniform dark seeds.; vs Chenopodium: Atriplex has bead-like bladder hairs and paired fruit bracts; Chenopodium has mealy powder and calyx-enclosed fruits.; vs Eriogonum: Atriplex has scaly leaves and paired fruit bracts; Eriogonum has smooth leaves and papery flower tubes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atriplex amnicola native to California?
No. Atriplex amnicola is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Atriplex amnicola bloom?
Atriplex amnicola blooms Feb-Oct.
What plant family does Atriplex amnicola belong to?
Atriplex amnicola is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex amnicola grow in?
Atriplex amnicola grows in Urban drainages, beaches.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.