Atriplex pacifica
South coast saltscale, South Coast Saltscale
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Atriplex pacifica (South coast saltscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by Southern CA coastal endemic, mat-forming habit, very small fruit bracts.
South coast saltscale is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern California coastal and Channel Islands bioregions in coastal bluff scrub and dune habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces gray-green to white flowers with distinctive scaly texture. Growing in a prostrate to decumbent form 10 to 40 centimeters wide, it spreads in mat-like patches with ascending branches. Its leaves are elliptic to oblanceolate, 4 to 18 millimeters long, with gray to white scales on the underside and a green upper surface. The plant produces small wedge-shaped fruit bracts that are fused at the base and minutely toothed, enclosing tiny brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; Southern CA coastal endemic, mat-forming habit, very small fruit bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluff scrub, dunes
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Benito
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Atriplex pacifica blooms Mar-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 pacifica native to California?
Yes. Atriplex pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex pacifica bloom?
Atriplex pacifica blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex pacifica grow?
Atriplex pacifica occurs in Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Benito, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Atriplex pacifica belong to?
Atriplex pacifica is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex pacifica rare or endangered?
Atriplex pacifica 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.