Atriplex hymenelytra (Torr.) S. Watson
Desert holly, desertholly
Desert holly is a type of saltbush.
Plants: This bush has a thickened, woody base, and is heaviy branched, and 12–39″ (30–100 cm) high.
Leaves: Silvery green leaves are twisted, with multiple pointed tips, like holly leaves. Leaves are ⅜–1¾″ (1.2–4.5 cm) long, with teeth up to ⅜″ (1 cm).
Flowers: Yellow to purple-brown, in spikes up to 1″ (3 cm) long. They appear from January to April.
Fruits: The fruits, enclosed in modified leaves, are red-brown, and look a bit like holly berries.
Habitats: Dry, sandy, or stony slopes, washes, or scrub.
Online References:
The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (great photos)
10/4/2003 · Death Valley, California · By Constance B. Kent 
ID is uncertain 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| 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 | hymenelytra | From the Greek hymen, “membrane,” and elytra, “a sheath or cover” |
Atriplex hymenelytra description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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