Atriplex hymenelytra (Desert Holly)

Atriplex hymenelytra

Atriplex hymenelytra (Torr.) S. Watson

Desert Holly, Desertholly

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	hymenelytra	From the Greek hymen, “membrane,” and elytra, “a sheath or cover”

About plant names...

Desert holly is a type of saltbush.

Identification: This bush has a thickened, woody base, and is 12-59" (30-150 cm) high. It has silvery green leaves and twisted leaves with multiple pointed tips, like holly. Leaves are ⅜-1½" (1-4 cm) long, with teeth up to ⅜" (1 cm). The fruits, enclosed in modified leaves, are red-brown, and look a bit like holly berries. Flowers are yellow to purple-brown, in spikes up to 1" (3 cm) long.

Online References:

Atriplex hymenelytra at the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (great photos)

Atriplex hymenelytra at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Atriplex hymenelytra on Wikimedia Commons

Atriplex hymenelytra on CalPhotos

Atriplex hymenelytra on SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

Atriplex hymenelytra from the Jepson Manual

Atriplex hymenelytra description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

10/4/2003 · Death Valley, CA · By Constance B. Kent ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...