familyChenopodiaceae
genusAtriplex
subgenusAtriplex subg. Obione
sectionAtriplex sect. Pleianthae
speciesAtriplex pleiantha
Atriplex pleiantha
Madroño 10: 189, figs. 1, 2. 1950.
Common names: Four-corners orach
IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Proatriplex pleiantha (W. A. Weber) Stutz & G. L. Chu
Herbs, branching from base, mainly 0.5–1.5 dm, glabrous or sparingly scurfy. Leaves alternate to subopposite, petiolate; blade ovate to suborbiculate, 5–18(–20) mm, about as wide, margin entire, apex obtuse to acute. Staminate flowers in short terminal spikes. Fruiting bracteoles short stipitate, compressed, 3–7 mm wide and about as long, entire; perianth consisting of 5 hyaline, sparsely ciliate scales 1–1.2 mm. Seeds falling at maturity, black, 1.5 mm, shining, smooth.
Phenology: Flowering late summer–fall.
Habitat: Salt-desert shrub community
Elevation: 1400-1500 m
Distribution
Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., Utah.
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.