SafePlants

Atriplex canescens: F-wing Saltbush and its Many Names

Atriplex canescens, a versatile evergreen shrub, is known by a variety of common names including chamiso, chamiza, f wing saltbush, f-wing saltbush, and fwing saltbush. The name "saltbush" alludes to its tolerance of salty conditions, while "F-wing" refers to the distinctive, paperlike wings that project from the seed.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is an evergreen shrub.
• The leaves are glandular and densely white-scaly.
• It is native to arid regions.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is an evergreen shrub.
• The leaves are glandular and densely white-scaly.
• It is native to arid regions.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.
• Family: Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae, also known as the Goosefoot Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
• Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
• Plant Symbol: ATCA2

Distribution and Habitat

• Atriplex canescens is widespread and often dominant on salty or alkaline soils of western North America.
• It can be found from Mexico through to Canada and is native throughout much of the arid west.
• It is notably abundant in the Great Basin region and is native to dry areas of the western U.S.

Ecological Role

• This species is ecologically important in arid south-western U.S.A. rangelands.
• It is widely used for reclamation plantings.

Morphological Characteristics

• Atriplex canescens is an evergreen shrub that typically grows to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in both height and spread, though it can vary significantly. Some individuals reach 2 meters (6 feet) or even 5 meters (15 feet).
• It exhibits extreme variability, ranging from compact and rounded to sprawling and low-growing, or even open-branched and treelike.
• The plant is heavily branched and can be deciduous or evergreen.
• Leaves are typically 1 inch long, linear, alternate, gray-green, glandular, and densely white-scaly.
• Summer flowers are minute and greenish.
• It is deep-rooted.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Atriplex canescens provides excellent browse for deer throughout the season and is a good browse plant for bighorn sheep, antelope, and elk in fall and winter.
• It readily hybridizes with several other species in the Atriplex genus.

Traditional Uses

• Native Americans in the American Southwest historically relied on the F-Wing Saltbush for both food and soap.

Additional Resources

• USDA NRCS Idaho Plant Materials Program
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Dave's Garden
• ARKive