Atriplex canescens var. macilenta
Salton saltbush
(c) Bobby McCabe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bobby McCabe · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Atriplex canescens var. macilenta (Salton saltbush) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by very low elevation Sonoran Desert habitat and irregularly dentate wing margins distinguish this variety.
Salton saltbush is a California native shrub found in the southern desert region, specifically in saline desert flats and alluvial fans at elevations below 160 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces inconspicuous greenish flowers with distinctive winged fruit bracts. Growing as a compact shrub 30 to 150 centimeters tall, it develops a sturdy branching structure adapted to harsh desert conditions. Its leaves are uniquely shaped, ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters long, with an oblanceolate to linear form that tapers at the base and has an obtuse tip. The plant's fruit bracts are particularly notable, developing wings with irregular serrated edges 4 to 8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; very low elevation Sonoran Desert habitat and irregularly dentate wing margins distinguish this variety
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline desert flats, alluvial fans
Elevation: < 160 m
Bloom period
Atriplex canescens var. macilenta blooms Mar-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 canescens var. macilenta native to California?
Yes. Atriplex canescens var. macilenta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex canescens var. macilenta bloom?
Atriplex canescens var. macilenta blooms Mar-Oct.
What plant family does Atriplex canescens var. macilenta belong to?
Atriplex canescens var. macilenta is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex canescens var. macilenta grow in?
Atriplex canescens var. macilenta grows in Saline desert flats, alluvial fans.
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.