Extriplex californica
California orach, California Orach
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Family: Chenopodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Extriplex californica (California orach) is a native California herb in the Chenopodiaceae family, recognized by . Key differences: plant size, leaf size/margins, habitat, taproot.
California orach is a California native perennial found in southern Northern Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Channel Islands bioregions in sandy soils, coastal dunes, sea bluffs, scrub, and salt marshes at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers with gray-scaly foliage. Growing up to 3 decimeters tall with a thick, somewhat fleshy taproot, it forms wide spreading plants up to 8 decimeters across. Its proximal leaves are opposite, with blades 5 to 24 millimeters long, entire in shape and distinctively gray-scaly with acute bases. The small black seeds are approximately 2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key differences: plant size, leaf size/margins, habitat, taproot
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, coastal dunes, sea bluffs, scrub, salt marshes
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Monterey
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Extriplex californica blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Atriplex: Extriplex has exactly 4 calyx lobes on male flowers and uniform dark seeds; Atriplex has 3-5 lobes and two seed colors.; vs Suaeda: Extriplex has flat scaly leaves; Suaeda has smooth cylindrical succulent leaves.; vs Acmispon: Extriplex has scaly leaves and wind-pollinated flowers; Acmispon has compound leaves and showy yellow pea flowers.; vs Cressa: Extriplex has scaly saltbush foliage; Cressa has small gray leaves and white funnel-shaped flowers.; vs Lavandula: Extriplex has greenish wind-pollinated flowers; Lavandula has showy purple spikes of fragrant tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Extriplex californica native to California?
Yes. Extriplex californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Extriplex californica bloom?
Extriplex californica blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Extriplex californica grow?
Extriplex californica occurs in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Monterey, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Extriplex californica belong to?
Extriplex californica is in the Chenopodiaceae family, genus Extriplex.
What habitat does Extriplex californica grow in?
Extriplex californica grows in Sandy soils, coastal dunes, sea bluffs, scrub, salt marshes.
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.