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silverscale saltbush
Scientific Name: Atriplex argentea
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual, Perennial
Other Names:
Atriplex argentea - Silverscale Saltbush
Atriplex argentea, commonly known as silverscale saltbush or silver orache, is a plant with interesting ecological and ethnobotanical characteristics.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Atriplex argentea Nutt.
- Common Names: Silverscale Saltbush, Silver Orache, Silverscale Saltweed, Silvery Saltbush, Silver Saltbush, Silverscale
- Family: Chenopodiaceae (now often included in Amaranthaceae)
- Synonyms: A. expansa S. Wats.
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Subspecies: Mentions of Atriplex argentea ssp. argentea var. argentea and Atriplex argentea expansa.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to western North America.
- Found in very dry, sparsely vegetated habitats, such as in Chaffee County, Colorado.
Morphological Characteristics
- Annual plant.
- Grows to a height of approximately 0.5 meters (1 ft 8 in).
- Flowering occurs from July to September.
- Seeds ripen from August to October.
Ecological Role
- Part of the saltbush community.
Traditional Uses
- The Navajo, Ramah, used the leaves as a fumigant for pain relief.
Considerations for Pets
- While the text states "No member of this genus contains any toxins," it is always prudent to prevent pets from consuming wild plants.
Considerations for Children
- While the text states "No member of this genus contains any toxins," it is always prudent to prevent children from consuming wild plants.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- MacNeill's Sootywing (a type of butterfly) interacts with saltbush species.
Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life
- Dave's Garden
- TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)