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Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.

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

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassCaryophyllidaeCacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
OrderCaryophyllalesIncludes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
FamilyAmaranthaceaeAmaranth family
GenusAtriplexAn ancient Latin name for this plant
SpeciescanescensCovered 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 2-4′ (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.

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

5/22/2009 · Wupatki National Monument, Ari­zona · ≈ 2 × 3′ (67 × 101 cm)

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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.

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Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

5/2/2018 · Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush, four-winged saltbush, chamiso, chamiza, four-wing saltbush)

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

Range:

About this map...