Atriplex minuscula
Lesser saltscale
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Atriplex minuscula (Lesser saltscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by San Joaquin Valley endemic, very small leaves, brittle reddish peeling branches.
Lesser saltscale is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the San Joaquin Valley in sandy, alkaline soils at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white-scaled leaves with delicate flowers. Growing with multiple ascending stems to 40 centimeters tall, the plant has distinctive reddish, brittle branches that spread and peel. Its alternate leaves are small, 4 to 10 millimeters long, with ovate to heart-shaped blades covered in white scales. The tiny seeds are reddish-brown and approximately 1 millimeter in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; San Joaquin Valley endemic, very small leaves, brittle reddish peeling branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, alkaline soils
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin, Butte, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, Alameda, Contra Costa
Bloom period
Atriplex minuscula blooms Apr-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 minuscula native to California?
Yes. Atriplex minuscula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex minuscula bloom?
Atriplex minuscula blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex minuscula grow?
Atriplex minuscula occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin, Butte, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Atriplex minuscula belong to?
Atriplex minuscula is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex minuscula rare or endangered?
Atriplex minuscula carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.