Atriplex persistens
Vernal pool smallscale, Vernal Pool Smallscale
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Atriplex persistens (Vernal pool smallscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by Central Valley vernal pool specialist, very small leaves, silvery scaling.
Vernal pool smallscale is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Great Valley bioregion in alkaline vernal pools at elevations below 115 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces silvery gray flowers in small terminal clusters with densely scaly appearance. Growing to less than 25 centimeters tall with multiple stems from the base, it spreads decumbent to ascending with a delicate, branching habit. Its small leaves are ovate to elliptic, 2 to 5 millimeters long, densely covered in silvery gray scales that give the plant a distinctive metallic sheen. The persistent fruit features fused bracts with dentate margins, creating distinctive round to oblong protective structures around its small brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; Central Valley vernal pool specialist, very small leaves, silvery scaling
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline vernal pools
Elevation: < 115 m
California counties: Merced, Glenn, Solano, Colusa, Madera, Tulare, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Atriplex persistens blooms Jun-Sep.
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 persistens native to California?
Yes. Atriplex persistens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex persistens bloom?
Atriplex persistens blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Atriplex persistens grow?
Atriplex persistens occurs in Merced, Glenn, Solano, Colusa, Madera, Tulare, Stanislaus, at elevations of < 115 m.
What plant family does Atriplex persistens belong to?
Atriplex persistens is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex persistens rare or endangered?
Atriplex persistens 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.