Scientific Family
Chenopodiaceae
Synonyms
Atriplex elegans var. thornberi, Atriplex thornberi
Other common names
wheelscale
(Spanish: chamizo cenizo)
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1 to 3 feet
Riparian
No
A bushy, much branched species of saltbush that is covered by small, silvery scales.
Bracts circular with toothed margins all around, distinguishes this from other Atriplex species.
Habitat
Abundant in all types of soils from California to Texas.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Disturbed Areas
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
100
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are conspicuous, abundant and clustered at the base of the leaves.
Flower color
Pale greenish-yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Erect stems branch from the base. Lower leaf surface is silvery, scaled and the top surface is green.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruiting bracts are compressed and fused near the tip.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown
The seed is enclosed between 2 wheel-shaped bracts.