Coulter's saltbush facts for kids

Atriplex coulteri is a special type of plant called a saltbush. It is also known as Coulter's saltbush or Coulter's orache. This plant is a small, leafy herb. It is quite rare to find in the wild.

What is Coulter's Saltbush?

Coulter's saltbush is a type of plant that can live for many years. It is known as a perennial herb. This means it does not die after one growing season. It belongs to a group of plants called Atriplex, which are often found in salty areas.

Where Does it Live?

This unique plant grows naturally in only a few places. You can find it along the coast of southern California. It also lives in the northern parts of Baja California, which is in Mexico.

It prefers to grow in special kinds of soil. These soils are often salty or alkaline. Alkaline soil means it has a high pH level. You might find Coulter's saltbush on ocean bluffs. These are cliffs right next to the sea.

What Does it Look Like?

Coulter's saltbush is a small plant. Its stems and branches usually grow to be less than 50 centimeters tall. That is about half a meter. The stems can lean over or stand straight up. They are often a reddish-green color.

The leaves of this plant are small. They are usually oval-shaped and no bigger than 2 centimeters long. They have a gray, scaly look. The plant also produces tiny flowers. These flowers grow in small, hard clusters. Some clusters have male flowers, and others have female flowers. After the flowers, the plant makes small brown seeds. Each seed is less than 2 millimeters wide.