Atriplex argentea var. expansa
Mojave silverscale
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Atriplex argentea var. expansa (Mojave silverscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by leaf curling toward stem and elevation range are key distinguishing features.
Mojave silverscale is a California native annual found in the Central Valley, central Coast, eastern San Francisco Bay, southwestern California, and desert regions in saline soils at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces small, pale silvery flowers on branching stems. Growing with erect stems 30 to 80 centimeters tall and ascending branches, it develops a distinctive form adapted to salty environments. Its leaves are generally curled toward the stem, with blade-like structures 7 to 40 millimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to ovate, with entire or wavy margins. The lower leaves are opposite and petioled, while upper leaves are sessile, creating a characteristic architectural structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 54 sympatric species; leaf curling toward stem and elevation range are key distinguishing features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline soils
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Kings, Ventura, Kern, Merced, Yolo, San Diego, Santa Clara, Colusa, Madera, Solano, San Joaquin, Fresno, Glenn, Sutter, Contra Costa
Outside California: to Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Atriplex argentea var. expansa blooms Jul-Nov.
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 argentea var. expansa native to California?
Yes. Atriplex argentea var. expansa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex argentea var. expansa bloom?
Atriplex argentea var. expansa blooms Jul-Nov.
Where in California does Atriplex argentea var. expansa grow?
Atriplex argentea var. expansa occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Kings, Ventura, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Atriplex argentea var. expansa belong to?
Atriplex argentea var. expansa is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex argentea var. expansa grow in?
Atriplex argentea var. expansa grows in Saline soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Atriplex argentea var. hillmanii — Hillman's silverscale
- Atriplex argentea var. longitrichoma — Pahrump orach
- Atriplex canescens — Four-wing saltbush
- Atriplex canescens var. canescens — Fourwing saltbush
- Atriplex canescens var. laciniata — Caleb saltbush
- Atriplex canescens var. linearis — Slenderleaf saltbush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.