Atriplex polycarpa

(Torrey) S. Watson

Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 9: 117. 1874.

Common names: Desert saltbush cattle-spinach
Basionym: Obione polycarpa Torrey
Synonyms: Atriplex curvidensb randegee
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 376. Mentioned on page 331, 360.
Revision as of 17:30, 18 September 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Shrubs, dioecious or sub-monoecious, mainly 10–20 dm. Leaves tardily deciduous, alternate, sessile or nearly so; blade spatulate to obovate or oblong, 3–15(–2.) × 2–4 mm, margin entire, apex typically acute. Staminate flowers appearing silvery, in clusters 1.5–3 mm wide, borne in paniculate, naked spikes 5–25 cm; anthers yellow. Pistillate flowers with fruiting bracteoles sessile, cuneate-orbicular to semicircular, 1.5–2.5 × 2–3 mm, united to near middle, margin deeply laciniate-dentate, tuberculate or sometimes smooth dorsally. Seeds pale brown, 1–1.5 mm. 2n = 18, 36.


Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Warm desert shrub communities (creosote bush, ambrosia, shadscale, mesquite, saltgrass, etc.), mainly in fine-textured saline substrates
Elevation: 60-1500 m

Distribution

V4 744-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah, n Mexico (Baja California to Sonora).

Discussion

Atriplex polycarpa consists of two or more chromosomal races based on different polyploid levels. The races form hybrids with Atriplex canescens in south California, resulting in partially stabilized entities known as varieties laciniata and macilenta. The plants evidently form hybrids with A. lentiformis.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Atriplex polycarpa"
Stanley L. Welsh +
(Torrey) S. Watson +
Obione polycarpa +
Desert saltbush +  and cattle-spinach +
Ariz. +, Calif. +, Nev. +, Utah +  and n Mexico (Baja California to Sonora). +
60-1500 m +
Warm desert shrub communities (creosote bush, ambrosia, shadscale, mesquite, saltgrass, etc.), mainly in fine-textured saline substrates +
Flowering spring–fall. +
Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts +
Atriplex curvidensb +
Atriplex polycarpa +
Atriplex subg. Pterochiton +
species +