Shadscale facts for kids
Atriplex confertifolia, also known as shadscale, is a type of evergreen shrub. It belongs to the plant family Amaranthaceae. You can find this tough plant growing in the western United States and northern Mexico.
Quick facts for kids Shadscale |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atriplex
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| Species: |
confertifolia
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Where Shadscale Grows
Shadscale is a very common plant, especially in the lowest and driest parts of the Great Basin. It likes sandy soil that drains water well. This plant can also grow in soil that is a little bit salty.
What Shadscale Looks Like
Shadscale plants usually grow to be about 1–3 ft (0.30–0.91 m) tall. Their leaves and fruits are an important food source in winter for farm animals and wild animals like deer.
Compared to another plant called fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shadscale has leaves that are shorter and wider. Also, its fruit does not have four wings. Instead, it might have two wings that look like a "V" shape.
Shadscale plants typically bloom, or produce flowers, from March to June each year.
