Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.
Fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Caryophyllidae Cacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
Order Caryophyllales Includes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
Family Amaranthaceae Amaranth family
Genus Atriplex An ancient Latin name for this plant
Species canescens Covered with short gray or white hairs
About plant names...
Four-wing saltbush is sometimes described, with tongue in cheek, as an "evergray" bush, owing to its drab
appearance. It is a North American native plant.
Identification: These bushes are usually 2-4′ (60-121 cm) high, rarely reaching
10′ (3 m). Leaves are thin and grayish, almost like needles, but sometimes more oval in shape. They
are ½-2″ (1.3-5 cm) long.
They are salt and drought tolerant. The seeds have an unusual
shape, which explains the name "four-wing." Male flowers are yellow, while female flowers are
small and white.
Four-winged seeds from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Edibility: Technically, all parts of this plant are edible, but
not tasty. Saltbush accumulates salt in its tissues, using the salt to extract moisture from its
surroundings.
Online References:
Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert
The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
CalPhotos
Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
EFloras
5/22/2009 · Wupatki National Monument, Arizona · ≈ 2 × 3′ (67 × 101 cm)
5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mexico · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)
Atriplex canescens description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Oct 2021.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)
5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)
5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
8/29/2014 · Next to river boat ramp, New Mexico
4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mexico · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm)
4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)
Range:
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