Plant species of Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc has more than 300 species of plants. Thanks to the artistry, hard work and generosity of T. Beth Kinsey, you can already see a few of them in this part of the website.

The species list has all our species but many do not yet have their own webpage. We are working to include them, too. (Check the What's new? page for notice of additions.)

Meanwhile, visit Beth's own site Fireflyforest where you will find other plants of southern Arizona, as well as many from Hawaii. And please do let Beth know how much you appreciate her work!

Atriplex canescens – Fourwing Saltbush

Atriplex canescens - Fourwing Saltbush, Four-wing Saltbush, Chamise, Chamize, Chamiso, Shadscale (flowers)

Atriplex canescens - Fourwing Saltbush, Four-wing Saltbush, Chamise, Chamize, Chamiso, Shadscale (seeds)

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Atriplex canescens

Common Names: Fourwing Saltbush, Four-wing Saltbush, Chamise, Chamize, Chamiso, Shadscale

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial, Evergreen

Growth Habit: Shrub

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland, Mountain

Flower Color: Inconspicuous (yellowish, greenish)

Flowering Season: Summer

Height: To 8 feet (2.4 m) tall, but usually half that

Description: The yellowish male flowers are in dense spikes at the branch tips. The greenish female flowers are axillary and inconspicuous. The seeds are enclosed in 4-winged, membranous capsules. The leaves are grayish green and narrowly linear in shape. This plant is very salt and drought tolerant.

Special Characteristics

Allergenic – This plant's pollen is a severe allergen.

Edible – The ground seed and the raw or cooked leaves are edible.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta Plants
Class: Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass: Caryophyllidae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Chenopodiaceae – Goosefoot family
Genus: Atriplex L. – saltbush
Species: Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. – fourwing saltbush

RETURN TO SPECIES LIST

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 Tumamoc is managed by the University of Arizona College of Science and Pima County, Arizona.