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silverscale saltbush
Scientific Name: Atriplex argentea ssp. 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 species belonging to the saltbush genus.
Considerations for Pets
- While the text indicates that no member of this genus contains any toxins, it's always wise to prevent pets from ingesting any wild plants, as sensitivities can vary.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Atriplex argentea Nutt.
- Common Names: Silverscale saltbush, silver orache, silverscale saltweed, silver saltbush, silvery orache, silvery atriplex
- Family: Chenopodiaceae (now often included in Amaranthaceae)
- Synonyms: A. expansa S. Wats. The name Atriplex argentea expansa also appears in the text and may be treated as synonym.
- Taxonomic Rank: Species; also mentioned are subspecies such as Atriplex argentea ssp. argentea var. argentea and Atriplex argentea ssp. expansa
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to western North America.
- Found in very dry, sparsely vegetated habitats, such as those in Chaffee County, Colorado.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- It is an annual herb.
- Grows to a height of approximately 0.5 meters (1ft 8in).
- Flowering occurs from July to September, with seeds ripening from August to October.
Ecological Role
- Often found in wetland areas
Traditional Uses
- The Navajo, Ramah, used the leaves as a fumigant for pain relief.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- MacNeill's Sootywing Butterfly relies on Saltbush (Atriplex species)
Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life
- Dave's Garden
- TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)