Atriplex truncata
Wedgescale, Wedgescale
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Atriplex truncata (Wedgescale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by wedge-shaped bracts with truncate tips and higher elevation habitat diagnostic.
Wedgescale is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, desert slopes of the Transverse Ranges, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions on alkaline soils and flats at elevations of 600 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers arranged in distinctive wedge-shaped bracts that are 2 to 4 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems up to 70 centimeters tall, the plant develops multiple branches that are slightly angled and covered in gray scales. Its leaves vary from ovate to triangular, measuring 10 to 40 millimeters long, with lower leaves typically having petioles while upper leaves are sessile and have truncate or rounded bases. The plant produces small brown seeds approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters in size, characteristic of its genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species; wedge-shaped bracts with truncate tips and higher elevation habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline soils, flats
Elevation: 600-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Orange, Modoc, Tulare, Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Inyo, Mono, Sonoma, Lassen, Plumas, Kern, Fresno, San Diego
Outside California: to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Atriplex truncata blooms Jun-Sep.
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 truncata native to California?
Yes. Atriplex truncata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex truncata bloom?
Atriplex truncata blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Atriplex truncata grow?
Atriplex truncata occurs in San Bernardino, Orange, Modoc, Tulare, Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Inyo, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 600-2500 m.
What plant family does Atriplex truncata belong to?
Atriplex truncata is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
What habitat does Atriplex truncata grow in?
Atriplex truncata grows in Alkaline soils, flats.
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.