familyChenopodiaceae
genusAtriplex
subgenusAtriplex subg. Obione
sectionAtriplex sect. Obione
subsectionAtriplex subsect. Leucophyllae
speciesAtriplex leucophylla
Atriplex leucophylla
Syn. Pl. 5: 536. 1852.
Common names: Whiteleaf orach
Basionym: Obione leucophylla Moquin-Tandon in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 109. 1849
Herbs, prostrate (decumbent or procumbent), many branched, 1.5–6 dm, somewhat woody below, coarse, white scurfy. Leaves many, sometimes crowded; blade orbiculate to ovate or ovate-lanceolate to elliptic or oblong, 8–40 × 4–18 mm, base obtuse or rounded, white scurfy. Staminate flowers in dense terminal spikes. Pistillate flowers in few-flowered, axillary clusters. Fruiting bracteoles not compressed, 5–7 mm, faces usually with wartlike projections, scurfy. Seeds dark red-brown, 2.5–3 mm.
Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Sea beaches, along coasts, at higher elevation inland
Elevation: 0-30 m
Distribution
Calif., Mexico (Baja California).
Discussion
Atriplex leucophylla occurs with Potentilla, Camissonia, Ambrosia, Cakile, and Calystegia.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.