55.
Atriplex polycarpa
(Torrey) S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts. 9: 117. 1874.
Desert saltbush, cattle-spinach
Obione polycarpa
Torrey in War Department [U.S.], Pacif. Railr. Rep. 4(5): 130. 1857;
Atriplex curvidens
Brandegee
Shrubs
, dioecious or sub-monoecious, mainly 10-20 dm.
Leaves
tardily deciduous, alternate, sessile or nearly so; blade spatulate to obovate or oblong, 3-15(-2.) × 2-4 mm, margin entire, apex typically acute.
Staminate flowers
appearing silvery, in clusters 1.5-3 mm wide, borne in paniculate, naked spikes 5-25 cm; anthers yellow.
Pistillate flowers
with fruiting bracteoles sessile, cuneate-orbicular to semicircular, 1.5-2.5 × 2-3 mm, united to near middle, margin deeply laciniate-dentate, tuberculate or sometimes smooth dorsally.
Seeds
pale brown, 1-1.5 mm.
2
n
= 18, 36.
Flowering spring-fall. Warm desert shrub communities (creosote bush, ambrosia, shadscale, mesquite, saltgrass, etc.), mainly in fine-textured saline substrates; 60-1500 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah; n Mexico (Baja California to Sonora).
Atriplex polycarpa
consists of two or more chromosomal races based on different polyploid levels. The races form hybrids with
Atriplex canescens
in south California, resulting in partially stabilized entities known as varieties
laciniata
and
macilenta
. The plants evidently form hybrids with
A. lentiformis
.
