Atriplex depressa
Brittlescale
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Atriplex depressa (Brittlescale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit, brittle red stems, and small opposite leaves.
Brittlescale is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Great Valley in alkaline or clay soils at elevations below 320 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white-scaled flowers on small, generally reddish stems that are often brittle and prostrate. Growing to less than 30 centimeters tall with prostrate-decumbent to ascending stems, it has a distinctive appearance with reddishly colored, peeling stems. Its leaves are generally opposite, with small ovate to cordate blades 2.5 to 8 millimeters long, densely covered in white scales and ending in acute tips. The fruit bracts are diamond-shaped, fused near the tip, and generally white-scaled with small tubercles facing the stem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; prostrate habit, brittle red stems, and small opposite leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline or clay soils
Elevation: < 320 m
California counties: Yolo, Glenn, Fresno, Contra Costa, Butte, Colusa, Merced, Solano, Tulare
Bloom period
Atriplex depressa blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 depressa native to California?
Yes. Atriplex depressa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex depressa bloom?
Atriplex depressa blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex depressa grow?
Atriplex depressa occurs in Yolo, Glenn, Fresno, Contra Costa, Butte, Colusa, Merced, Solano and other counties, at elevations of < 320 m.
What plant family does Atriplex depressa belong to?
Atriplex depressa is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex depressa rare or endangered?
Atriplex depressa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.