.jpg&width=800)
Shadscale Saltbush
ExplorePlants
Shadscale Saltbush
Atriplex confertifolia
Shadscale Saltbush is a tough plant that grows in dry places. Its leaves are gray-green and can help animals survive in the desert by storing water.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Shadscale Saltbush is a dense, spiny shrub with a rounded shape and unique silvery-gray, scaly leaves. Its dull, grayish appearance helps it blend into arid landscapes, making it visually distinct from greener desert plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyAmaranthaceaeGenusAtriplex
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Ancient people sometimes used its ash to make a kind of soap!
Did you know its tiny leaves can actually taste salty if you try them?
It's sometimes called a "halophyte," which means "salt-loving plant."
The Shadscale Saltbush can live for over 100 years in the harsh desert.
Special abilities
Ability
Desert Drinker
This plant has deep roots that help it find and absorb water from far below the dry desert surface.
Ability
Thorny Shield
The Shadscale Saltbush has stiff, spiny branches that protect its tender leaves from hungry animals looking for a snack.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 50-200 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses leaves and twigs, especially in winter
eats
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
eats its leaves and stems as a food source
eats
Greater Sage-Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
relies on its leaves for winter food
eats
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys merriami
collects and consumes its nutritious seeds
shelters
Desert Woodrat
Neotoma lepida
uses its branches to build protective nests and middens
Traits
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.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat any plants you find without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Shadscale Saltbush?
30-150 cm
How wide does Shadscale Saltbush spread?
50-200 cm
When does Shadscale Saltbush bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is Shadscale Saltbush edible?
Yes
Is Shadscale Saltbush toxic?
None
What is Shadscale Saltbush's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Shadscale Saltbush pollinated?
Wind
Where is Shadscale Saltbush usually found?
Desert
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_Malva_parviflora_-_Habitus.jpg&width=800)
