Atriplex serenana var. serenana
Bractscale
Photo: parent species Atriplex serenana · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Atriplex serenana var. serenana (Bractscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by mat-forming habit, larger leaves than var. davidsonii, elongated male spikes.
Bractscale is a native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, central and southern Western California, and southwestern and southeastern desert regions on alkaline flats and coastal bluffs at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers in elongate spikes or panicle clusters. Growing with slender, branching stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate, open formations across dry, salty landscapes. Its leaves are narrow, ranging from 10 to 50 millimeters long, with simple blade-like structures adapted to arid environments. This plant is particularly well-suited to alkaline and coastal habitats, demonstrating remarkable tolerance for challenging growing conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 55 sympatric species; mat-forming habit, larger leaves than var. davidsonii, elongated male spikes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline flats, coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 2100 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Merced, San Diego, Kings, Ventura, Tulare, Orange, Amador, Lake, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Yolo, Butte, Fresno, Kern, Monterey, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Colusa, Madera, Sacramento, Mono
Outside California: Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Atriplex serenana var. serenana blooms Apr-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 serenana var. serenana native to California?
Yes. Atriplex serenana var. serenana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex serenana var. serenana bloom?
Atriplex serenana var. serenana blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex serenana var. serenana grow?
Atriplex serenana var. serenana occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Merced, San Diego, Kings, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 2100 m.
What plant family does Atriplex serenana var. serenana belong to?
Atriplex serenana var. serenana is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex serenana var. serenana grow in?
Atriplex serenana var. serenana grows in Alkaline flats, coastal bluffs.
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.