Atriplex pusilla

Smooth saltbush

Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1

Smooth saltbush is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native annual found in the Great Basin in alkaline soils and hot springs at elevations of 1,300 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces small, subtle flowers with reddish undertones on slender branches. Growing up to 30 centimeters tall with multiple ascending stems, it develops rigid, somewhat reddish branches that are lightly scaled. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, elliptic to ovate, measuring 3 to 15 millimeters long with a distinctive compact structure. The plant produces tiny ovate fruits less than 1 millimeter long, compressed and smooth, with seeds that are light brown.

Habitat: Alkaline soils, hot springs

Bloom period: May-Sep

Elevation: 1300-2100 m

Bioregions: GB

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.