SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 4883.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "4883" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

South American saltbush

Scientific Name: Atriplex lampa

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

South American Saltbush (Atriplex lampa)

Atriplex lampa, commonly known as South American Saltbush, is a shrub appreciated for its adaptability and ecological significance. It is known for retaining salt in its leaves, a key characteristic of the Atriplex genus.

Considerations for Pets

  • The name "saltbush" indicates that these plants retain salt in their leaves, which could be a consideration for pets with sodium sensitivities.

Considerations for Children

  • Atriplex species produce winged, one-seeded fruits (utricles), which may be small enough to pose a choking hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Atriplex lampa
  • Common Name: South American Saltbush
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Family: Chenopodiaceae

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South America.
  • Also found in Australia, North America, and Eurasia.
  • Specifically mentioned locations include the Pacific coasts of North and South America.
  • Adapted to dry environments with salty soils, making it a halophyte.

Morphological Characteristics

  • South American Saltbush is a shrub.
  • It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years.
  • Saltbush is described as a shrub with a woody base and numerous herbaceous upper stems.

Ecology

  • Many species of Atriplex are halophytes, thriving in salty environments.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • A new genus and species of thrips related to Psilothrips has been found living on the South American Saltbush (Atriplex lampa).

Additional Information

  • The scientific name Atriplex is derived from the Latin word for herbs and shrubs.
  • Native Americans of the Southwest harvested the leaves and seeds of this plant.

Resources

  • Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Atriplex lampa.
  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): Offers taxonomic information.
  • NatureServe: Provides information on plants.
  • Encyclopedia of Life: Includes plant information, identification details, uses, and distribution information.
  • Garden Guides: Provides information on gardening with South American Saltbush (Lampa).