Cattle Saltbush

Herbarium..

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we both inflorescence branches and leafy branches. I was in doubt at first about the id because description mentions dry lake beds and alkali flats, which these hillsides are not. I conjecture the old tilted Wacouba Lake beds provide the sufficient soil chemistry.

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we have an inflorescence branches. I was in doubt at first about the id because description mentions dry lake beds and alkali flats, which these hillsides are not. I conjecture the old tilted Wacouba Lake beds provide the sufficient soil chemistry.

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we have an inflorescence branch. A. polycarpa fruit bracts are distinct in being small 'bracts in fruit 23 mm, fused proximally, spheric, minutely crenate to dentate, smooth to tubercled.'TJM2

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we have an leafy branch. Note size of leaves.

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we have an leafy branch. Note two sizes of leaves.

elev. 4400 ft. This is the beginning of a series of images of shrubby Atriplex. We start with winter aspect images. In this case we have an leafy branch. Note two sizes of leaves.

I found these nice fresh staminate flowers on this Atriplex polycarpa one cool afternoon. I have since begun to second guess myself as to whether I was looking at A. polycarpa or not. If you have an opinion, let me know!

I found these nice fresh staminate flowers on this Atriplex polycarpa one cool afternoon. I have since begun to second guess myself as to whether I was looking at A. polycarpa or not. If you have an opinion, let me know!

I found these nice fresh staminate flowers on this Atriplex polycarpa one cool afternoon. I have since begun to second guess myself as to whether I was looking at A. polycarpa or not. If you have an opinion, let me know!

Pistillate Inflorescence: occasionally terminal; bracts in fruit 2--3 mm, fused proximally, +- spheric, minutely crenate to dentate, smooth to tubercled.