Atriplex vallicola
Lost hills crownscale, Lost Hills Crownscale
Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Atriplex vallicola (Lost hills crownscale) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by smaller fruit bracts (2.5-4 mm) distinguish from other coronata varieties.
Lost hills crownscale is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the San Joaquin Valley in dried ponds and alkaline soils at elevations below 430 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces small, whitish to pale green flowers in compressed bracts 2.5 to 4 millimeters wide. Growing with ascending to erect branches, it develops a delicate, open structure typical of desert-adapted annual plants. Its leaves and bracts have a subtle texture, with bracts that become slightly spherical in fruit and can be finely toothed or smooth. Dark brown seeds, approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, mature within the distinctive compressed bracts.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; smaller fruit bracts (2.5-4 mm) distinguish from other coronata varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dried ponds, alkaline soils
Elevation: < 430 m
California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Kings, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Tulare, Merced, Alameda
Bloom period
Atriplex vallicola blooms Apr-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 vallicola native to California?
Yes. Atriplex vallicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Atriplex vallicola bloom?
Atriplex vallicola blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Atriplex vallicola grow?
Atriplex vallicola occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Kings, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Tulare, Merced and other counties, at elevations of < 430 m.
What plant family does Atriplex vallicola belong to?
Atriplex vallicola is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Atriplex.
Is Atriplex vallicola rare or endangered?
Atriplex vallicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Atriplex watsonii — Matscale
- Atriplex amnicola — Swamp saltbush
- Atriplex argentea — Silverscale
- Atriplex argentea var. argentea — Silverscale saltbush
- Atriplex argentea var. expansa — Mojave silverscale
- Atriplex argentea var. hillmanii — Hillman's silverscale
- Bassia hyssopifolia — Five horn bassia
- Bassia scoparia
- Bassia sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.