Atriplex coronata var. notatior
San jacinto valley crownscale, San Jacinto Valley Crownscale
(c) Pacific Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Atriplex coronata var. notatior (San jacinto valley crownscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by spherical fruit bracts with dense tubercles equal to marginal teeth, plus geographic restriction.
San jacinto valley crownscale is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in eastern Southern California in the San Jacinto Valley, Riverside County, on alkaline flats at elevations of 400 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces small, dense spherical fruits with prominent tubercles. Growing with branches that are mostly erect and compact, it reaches a modest height typical of desert annual species. Its fruits are distinctive, measuring 4.5 to 5 millimeters wide with dense tubercles nearly equal to the marginal teeth. The plant's adaptation to alkaline environments makes it a specialized species of the San Jacinto Valley ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; spherical fruit bracts with dense tubercles equal to marginal teeth, plus geographic restriction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline flats
Elevation: 400-500 m
Bloom period
Atriplex coronata var. notatior blooms Apr-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 coronata var. notatior native to California?
Yes. Atriplex coronata var. notatior is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex coronata var. notatior bloom?
Atriplex coronata var. notatior blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Atriplex coronata var. notatior belong to?
Atriplex coronata var. notatior is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex coronata var. notatior rare or endangered?
Atriplex coronata var. notatior carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Atriplex coronata var. notatior grow in?
Atriplex coronata var. notatior grows in Alkaline flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.