Atriplex elegans facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Atriplex elegans

Scientific classification
Genus:	Atriplex
Species:	elegans
Subspecies
Atriplex elegans var. coronata (S. Watson) M.E. Jones, 1908 Atriplex elegans subsp. elegans Atriplex elegans var. elegans Atriplex elegans subsp. fasciculata (S. Watson) H.M. Hall & Clem., 1923 Atriplex elegans var. fasciculata (S. Watson) M.E. Jones, 1908 Atriplex elegans subsp. thornberi (M.E. Jones) W.L. Wagner, 1978 Atriplex elegans var. thornberi M.E. Jones, 1908 Atriplex elegans subsp. typica H.M. Hall & Clem., 1923
Synonyms
Obione elegans Moq.

Atriplex elegans is a species of saltbush known by the common name wheelscale saltbush, Mecca orach, or wheelscale. It is native to the Southwestern United States, and northern Mexico, where it grows in areas of saline or alkaline soils, such as alkali flats and desert dry lakebeds.

Description

This is an annual herb with a scaly branching stem which spreads somewhat upright to heights between 10 and 50 centimeters. The crusty whitish leaves are narrowly oval in shape, sometimes toothed along the edges, and less than 3 centimeters long. The inflorescences bear separate male and female flowers which are in small, hard clusters.

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