Atriplex spinifera
Spiny saltbush, Spiny Saltbush
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Atriplex spinifera (Spiny saltbush) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by distinctive spine-like twigs.
Spiny saltbush is a California native shrub found in southern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, northern Western Transverse Ranges, and Mojave Desert in saline soils, dry lake flats at elevations below 950 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers surrounded by densely white to gray scaly bracts. Growing with many ascending branches and stiff, spine-like twigs reaching 30 to 200 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive erect form. Its leaves are sessile or nearly so, ranging from elliptic to wide-ovate, typically 6 to 28 millimeters long, with entire margins. The fruit bracts are notable for their spherical lower portion that becomes compressed and dentate, densely covered in scales with smooth or subtly crested veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinctive spine-like twigs are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline soils, flats, dry lakes
Elevation: < 950 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Merced, Inyo, Los Angeles, Fresno, Kings, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Atriplex spinifera blooms Apr-Jun.
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 spinifera native to California?
Yes. Atriplex spinifera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex spinifera bloom?
Atriplex spinifera blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Atriplex spinifera grow?
Atriplex spinifera occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Merced, Inyo, Los Angeles, Fresno, Kings and other counties, at elevations of < 950 m.
What plant family does Atriplex spinifera belong to?
Atriplex spinifera is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex spinifera grow in?
Atriplex spinifera grows in Saline soils, flats, dry lakes.
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.