Names
Scientific Name: Atriplex elegans
Synonym:
Common Names:Wheelscale saltbush
Characteristics
Duration: Annual/perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Arizona Native Status: Native
Habitat: Typically associated with lowland, highly disturbed soils or next to roadways. Predominates in sandy soil types. May be found in wetlands, though less common.
Flower Color: Cream to faint yellow
Flowering Season: April to May
Height: 4 to 10 inches
Description: This plant ranges from a singular stem to a heavily branched network of stems. Numerous staminate and pistillate flowers occur in small clusters when in bloom. Leaves are irregular and blade-like or oblong in structure. Seeds are brown to tan.
Special Characteristics
Wheelscale saltbush may be boiled into an herbal tea. It also serves as forage for livestock.
Classification
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
SOURCES:
United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Database: plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ATEL
Calflora: www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=977
Southwest Environmental Information Network: hswbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=130
eFlora, Flora of North America: efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415564
