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California saltbush
Scientific Name: Atriplex californica
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
California Saltbush (Extriplex californica)
California saltbush, also known as California orache, is a plant species with a fascinating history and ecological role. This perennial herb, native to coastal California and Baja California, Mexico, offers valuable insights into plant adaptation and resilience.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Extriplex californica
- Common Names: California saltbush, California orache
- Synonym: Formerly included in the genus Atriplex as Atriplex californica.
- Family: Amaranthaceae (implied by "Atriplex/Chenopodium Extriplex californica Amaranthaceae")
- Classification: Dicot
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to coastal California and Baja California, Mexico.
- Found up to 100 miles inland in California.
- Prefers sandy soils.
- Tolerant of alkali conditions.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Perennial herb growing to approximately 0.1 meter (4 inches) in height.
- Low-growing, usually prostrate.
- Monoecious, meaning it has both male and female flowers on the same plant.
- Many much-branched spreading-to-decumbent stems.
- Flowers from July to August.
- Seeds ripen from August to October.
- Hardy to zone 8 (UK).
Ecological Role
- Used for windbreaks, borders, and range management.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Larval host plant for some sootywing butterflies in California and Mexico.
- California Saltbush Grasshopper (Aeoloplides californicus) is associated with the plant.