Species Detail Woody, Cacti, Succulent

Granite Mtn - Tr 345
Sue Smith

Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Atriplex canescens - fourwing saltbush

Synonyms: Obione berlandieri, Obione canescens , Pterochiton occidentale

Other Common Names: four-wing saltbrush, cenizo

Plant Form:Shrub

Family: Chenopodiaceae


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Plant - summer Watson Lake Sue Smith	Leaves Lonesome Valley Sue Smith	Flower buds Reed Rd, Chino Valley Sue Smith	Fruit Lonesome Valley Sue Smith	Fruit Watson Lake Sue Smith
Plant Description Origin: Native Similar Species: Atriplex polycarpa General Description: Semi-evergreen. Mound-like shrub, woody throughout, stems stout, much branched and drought-deciduous. Has deep roots that help with erosion control. Identification notes: Woody. Leaves narrow, oblong, not stemmed, grayish-green. Fruits 4-winged. Male and female flowers on separate plants; male flowers yellow less than 1/8 inch wide on branched flower stalks; female flowers on branched 15-inch long flower stalks. Height: Up to 8 feet Width: 8 feet Habitat Habitat Description: Found on sandy or gravelly soils, from desert scrub to pinon-juniper communities. Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland Elevation: 0 - 7100 feet Flowers Color: Yellow Shape: Inconspicuous in elongated clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Apr - Oct Description: Male and female flowers on separate plants; male flowers yellow (rarely brown), borne on elongated and branched flower stalks; female flowers lack sepals, borne on elongated and branched flower stalks. Leaves Leaf Color: Grayish-green Type: Simple Shape: Narrow Margin: Smooth Attachment: Alternate Hairs: Top and bottom of leaves Description: Grayish-green and narrow to 2 inches long, sessile (attached directly to the branches). The species canescens means covered with short gray or white hairs. Fruit Color: Light green to pale brown Type: Winged Description: Burlike seeds are encased in 4 papery pale green wing-like bracts to 1/2 inch wide. Bracts dry to a pale brown. Bark/Branches Bark Color: Gray to brown Bark Texture (Mature): Rough Bark and Branch Description: Heavily branched older stems can become very irregularly furrowed. Spines, thorns or prickles: N


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetail.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer