Atriplex canescens var. laciniata

Parish

in W. L. Jepson, Fl. Calif. 1: 442. 1914.

Common names: Caleb saltbush
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 380. Mentioned on page 376, 379.

Plants mainly 10–20 dm, not spiny. Leaves narrowly oblanceolate, to oblanceolate, often thickened, 12–25(–30) × 2–5 mm, apex mainly rounded. Pistillate flowers borne in panicles mostly 5–25 cm. Fruiting bracteoles on stipes 0–2 mm, body typically with 4 prominent, laciniate wings extending length of bract, united throughout, 6–10(–15) × 8–11(–15) mm, apex toothed, surface of wings and body smooth or reticulate.


Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Saline flats, bajadas, alluvial fans
Elevation: 60-800 m

Distribution

V4 756-distribution-map.gif

Calif., Nev., Mexico (Sonora).

Discussion

Atriplex canescens var. laciniata, also a high polyploid, is supposed to have originated through hybridization of Atriplex canescens with a second chromosomal race of A. polycarpa. It is certainly similar to but has larger and more apparently laciniate bract wings than A. canescens var. macilenta, which arose similarly but purportedly from a different chromosomal race of the same species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.