Beach saltbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beach saltbush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atriplex
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| Species: |
leucophylla
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Atriplex leucophylla is a type of saltbush. People often call it the beach saltbush or white orache. This plant grows naturally along the coasts of California and Baja California. You can also find it on the Channel Islands. It loves sandy places like beach dunes.
About the Beach Saltbush
What it Looks Like
The beach saltbush is a small plant. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It usually grows to about 30 centimeters (12 inches) tall. Its stems spread out along the ground. They can also grow slightly upright. These stems can be up to 1 meter (3 feet) long.
The plant has many leaves. They are oval-shaped and measure 1 to 4 centimeters long. Both the leaves and sometimes the stems feel rough. They often have a whitish, scaly surface.
How it Grows
This plant is monoecious. This means each plant has both male and female flowers. The male flowers are called staminate flowers. They grow in round groups. These male flowers do not have bracts. Bracts are like small, leaf-like parts.
The female flowers are called pistillate flowers. They have oval or round parts called ovaries. These ovaries are surrounded by soft, spongy bracts. After blooming, these female flowers turn into fruits. Each fruit holds small seeds inside.
When it Blooms
The beach saltbush has one of the longest blooming times. It blooms for many months. You can see its flowers from April all the way through October.
See also
In Spanish: Atriplex leucophylla para niños
