Native Plant Database

Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats.

Big saltbush, Coastal quail bush, Quailbush, Saltbush

Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)

A widely spreading shrub with can reach 10 ft. in height where the water table is high. The branches are occasionally spiny and the round to somewhat triangular leaves have a scrufy coating lending an olive-green appearance. Greenish flowers occur in profuse, dense, compact panicles and are followed by flattened fruit.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Gray-green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , HI , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S.w. UT & s. NV to AZ & s. CA
Native Habitat: Low, alkaline places
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist to dry, saline soils
Conditions Comments: Can become rather rank and is good only for large areas. Ssp. breweri, native to the southern coastal region of CA, is similar in appearance and often used for conservation plantings. It requires full sun and dry soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Important as wildlife cover and food plants.
Use Food: Used by Native Americans to flavor food due to salty content.
Attracts: Birds

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Atriplex lentiformis is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Saltbush Sootywing
(Hesperopsis alpheus)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Last Update: 2007-01-01