Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi
Torrey's saltbush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi (Torrey's saltbush) is a native California shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation east of Sierra Nevada is key distinguishing feature.
Torrey's saltbush is a California native shrub found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert regions in alkaline clay soils, dry lake beds, and washes at elevations of 300 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces inconspicuous flowers on densely branched stems with grayish-green foliage. Growing as an erect shrub 1.2 to 2 meters tall with many sharply angled, spreading branches that occasionally develop spine-like twigs, it forms a distinctive architectural shape in arid landscapes. Its leaves are sessile to short-petioled, ranging from 7 to 38 millimeters long, with ovate to deltate shapes densely covered in fine gray scales. The plant's unique structural characteristics include compressed, nearly spherical fruit bracts and a compact growth habit adapted to harsh desert environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; geographic isolation east of Sierra Nevada is key distinguishing feature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline clay soils, dry lakes, washes
Elevation: 300-2200 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino
Outside California: to southwestern Utah
Bloom period
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi blooms Jun-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 torreyi var. torreyi native to California?
Yes. Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi bloom?
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi grow?
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi occurs in Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, at elevations of 300-2200 m.
What plant family does Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi belong to?
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi grow in?
Atriplex torreyi var. torreyi grows in Alkaline clay soils, dry lakes, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.