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Four wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens)

Description

Atriplex canescens, chamiso, chamiza, four wing saltbush, four-wing saltbush, and fourwing saltbush, is a species of evergreen shrub in the family Amaranthaceae native to the western and midwestern United States. Atriplex canescens has a highly variable form, and readily hybridizes with several other species in the genus Atriplex. The degree of polyploidy also results in variations in form. Its height can vary from 1 foot to 10 feet, but 2 to 4 feet is most common. The leaves are thin and 0.5 to 2 inches long. It is most readily identified by its fruits, which have four wings at roughly 90 degree angles and are densely packed on long stems. This species blooms from April to October.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Caryophyllales

            • Family: Amaranthaceae

              • Genus: Atriplex