Atriplex hymenelytra
Desert-holly
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Atriplex hymenelytra (Desert-holly) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by desert habitat, distinctive holly-like toothed leaves, large round fruit bracts.
Desert-holly is a California native shrub found in the eastern Mojave Desert and Great Basin Desert regions on dry slopes, washes, and scrub areas at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers amid distinctive silvery-white, thick, wide-ovate leaves with irregular sharp teeth. Growing 3 to 10 decimeters tall with a rounded form, it develops many spreading to ascending branches from a simple, erect stem. Its leaves are thick and petioled, with blades 12 to 45 millimeters long, creating a distinctive silvery-scaled appearance that helps the plant blend into arid desert landscapes. The plant produces small seeds approximately 2 millimeters long, enclosed by round to kidney-shaped bracts in its fruit clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; desert habitat, distinctive holly-like toothed leaves, large round fruit bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, washes, scrub
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Atriplex hymenelytra blooms Jan-Apr.
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 hymenelytra native to California?
Yes. Atriplex hymenelytra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex hymenelytra bloom?
Atriplex hymenelytra blooms Jan-Apr.
Where in California does Atriplex hymenelytra grow?
Atriplex hymenelytra occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Atriplex hymenelytra belong to?
Atriplex hymenelytra is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex hymenelytra grow in?
Atriplex hymenelytra grows in Slopes, washes, scrub.
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.