Atriplex canescens (Fourwing saltbush)

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Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.

Fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Caryophyllidae	Cacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
Order	Caryophyllales	Includes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
Family	Amaranthaceae	Amaranth family
Genus	Atriplex	An ancient Latin name for this plant
Species	canescens	Covered with short gray or white hairs

About plant names...

Four-wing saltbush is sometimes described, with tongue in cheek, as an "evergray" bush, owing to its drab appearance. It is a North American native plant.

Identification: These bushes are usually 24-48" (60-121 cm) high, rarely reaching 10' (3 m). Leaves are thin and grayish, almost like needles, but sometimes more oval in shape. They are ½-2" (1.3-5 cm) long. They are salt and drought tolerant. The seeds have an unusual shape, which explains the name "four-wing." Male flowers are yellow, while female flowers are small and white.

Four-winged seeds from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Edibility: Technically, all parts of this plant are edible, but not tasty. Saltbush accumulates salt in its tissues, using the salt to extract moisture from its surroundings.

Online References:

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

CalPhotos

Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

EFloras

5/22/2009 · Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
≈ 27 × 30" (67 × 75 cm)

5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 12 cm)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mexico
≈ 6 × 9" (16 × 23 cm)

Atriplex canescens description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Oct 2021.

4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 20 cm)

5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 21 × 14" (52 × 34 cm)

5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

8/29/2014 · Next to river boat ramp, New Mexico

4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mexico
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 16 cm)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 6 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

Range:

About this map...