Atriplex cordulata
Heartscale
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Atriplex cordulata (Heartscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Heartscale is a California native annual plant found in California's central and western valleys and coastal regions, typically growing in open grassland and disturbed areas. Flowering during the summer months, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers with grayish-green bracts that become distinctive in fruit. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops multiple rigid stems with ascending branches covered in gray scales. Its leaves are small and ovate, with distinctive cordate bases on the lower leaves, and are covered in a gray, scaly surface. The tiny seeds are reddish-brown, approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, adding subtle visual interest to the plant's overall appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Yolo, Fresno, Tulare, Colusa, Solano, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Butte, Contra Costa, Kern, Madera, Stanislaus, Glenn, San Joaquin
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 cordulata native to California?
Yes. Atriplex cordulata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Atriplex cordulata grow?
Atriplex cordulata occurs in Yolo, Fresno, Tulare, Colusa, Solano, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Butte and other counties.
What plant family does Atriplex cordulata belong to?
Atriplex cordulata is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.