Creeping Saltbush
ExplorePlants
Creeping Saltbush
Atriplex prostrata
Creeping Saltbush is a low-growing plant that loves salty places! It has thick, green leaves and can spread out like a cozy blanket on the ground.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Creeping Saltbush has slender stems that spread low to the ground, forming dense mats. Its small, triangular leaves are often covered in a silvery-white, scaly coating, giving them a frosted look. These leaves can sometimes blush reddish-purple, especially in drier or salty conditions.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyAmaranthaceaeGenusAtriplex
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Creeping Saltbush changes leaf color, often becoming red or purple when stressed by cold or drought!
Even though it loves salt, some types of saltbush are eaten by farm animals.
Its leaves sometimes look like they're sprinkled with sugar, but that's actually tiny salt crystals it pushes out!
The ancient Greeks and Romans might have eaten saltbush leaves as a vegetable.
Special abilities
Ability
Water Saver
This plant has thick, succulent-like leaves and a scaly coating that helps it store water and reduce evaporation in dry places.
Ability
Soil Hugger
With its spreading stems and roots, Creeping Saltbush helps hold loose soil in place, stopping erosion in challenging environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-50 cm
- Spread
- 30-150 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Lucerne flea
Sminthurus viridis
Feeds on the leaves of various Atriplex species.
eats
Cotton bud moth
Crocidosema plebejana
Larvae feed on leaves and stems of many chenopods, including Atriplex.
eats
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
May consume seeds if growing near wetland habitats.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Creeping Saltbush?
10-50 cm
How wide does Creeping Saltbush spread?
30-150 cm
How big are the flowers on Creeping Saltbush?
0.1-0.2 cm
When does Creeping Saltbush bloom?
Summer to Fall
Is Creeping Saltbush edible?
Yes
Is Creeping Saltbush toxic?
None
What is Creeping Saltbush's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Creeping Saltbush pollinated?
Wind
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