Atriplex lentiformis
Big saltbush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Atriplex lentiformis (Big saltbush) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by largest size in genus, broad distribution, spine-like twigs in age.
Big saltbush is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Central Valley delta, southern Coastal Range, southern California, southern Channel Islands, northern Western Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Sierra Nevada eastern edge, and desert regions at elevations below 1,200 meters in alkaline or saline washes and dry lake scrublands. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small greenish-white flowers in panicle-like clusters. Growing 2 to 4 meters tall with many spreading to ascending branches that occasionally develop spine-like twigs, it forms a wide, dense structure typically broader than its height. Its leaves are distinctive, with ovate to oblong-elliptic blades 1.2 to 6 centimeters long, featuring entire to wavy margins and truncate or slightly hastate bases. The shrub produces small dark brown seeds approximately 1.5 millimeters long, thriving in harsh saline environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; largest size in genus, broad distribution, spine-like twigs in age
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline or saline washes, dry lakes, scrub
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Merced, San Benito, Monterey, Marin, Kern, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Butte, Fresno, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Mono, Yolo, Tulare, San Joaquin
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Atriplex lentiformis blooms Jul-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 lentiformis native to California?
Yes. Atriplex lentiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex lentiformis bloom?
Atriplex lentiformis blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex lentiformis grow?
Atriplex lentiformis occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Atriplex lentiformis belong to?
Atriplex lentiformis is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex lentiformis grow in?
Atriplex lentiformis grows in Alkaline or saline washes, dry lakes, 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.