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wheelscale saltbush

Scientific Name: Atriplex elegans var. fasciculata

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Atriplex elegans: Wheelscale Saltbush

Atriplex elegans, commonly known as wheelscale saltbush, Mecca orach, or simply wheelscale, is a fascinating plant native to the Southwestern United States and Texas.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant produces seeds that ripen from August to October.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant produces seeds that ripen from August to October.
  • Some varieties of this plant have thorns.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Atriplex elegans (Moq.) D. Dietr.
  • Family: Chenopodiaceae
  • Genus: Atriplex
  • Common Names: Wheelscale saltbush, Mecca orach, wheelscale, white-scale saltbush.
  • Synonyms and Subspecies:
    • Atriplex elegans var. fasciculata (S. Watson) M.E. Jones
    • Atriplex elegans subsp. fasciculata (S. Watson) H.M. Hall & Clem.
    • Atriplex elegans (C.H. Moquin-Tandon) D.N. Dietrich
    • Atriplex argentea Nutt. ssp. D. Dietr. var. elegans
    • Atriplex elegans (Moq.) D. Dietr. var. thornberi M.E. Jones

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Southwestern United States, including Texas and Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Atriplex elegans is an annual forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
  • It typically grows to a height of approximately 0.2 meters (8 inches).
  • It flowers from July to September.
  • Stems can be ascending or procumbent to erect, and stramineous or whitish.

Ecological Role

  • Atriplex elegans can be found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Thousands of beetles were observed feeding on fresh foliage of wheelscale saltbush.

Human Uses

  • The Pima people have used Wheelscale Saltbush as a cooking agent.

Further Information

  • An Illustrated Guide to Arizona Weeds by Kittie F. Parker.
  • Discover Life: Discover Life's page about Atriplex elegans