Desert saltbush

Atriplex polycarpa

Deciduous shrub 3-6 ft. tall with shredded bark and greenish-tan flowers, blooming May to October. Occurs on medium to well-drained soils of alkaline flats, drainages and rocky slopes; up to 5,000 ft. elevation. Flourishes in arid areas with highly saline soils unsuitable for most other species, often in dominant stands. Also in desert scrub and grassland communities with Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), Shadscale (A. confertifolia) and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). More drought tolerant but less cold tolerant than Fourwing saltbush (A. canescens). Excellent cover for small wildlife, especially Gambel’s quail. Highly palatable for browsing animals, with crude protein, digestible nutrients and fats comparable to Alfalfa (Medicago sativa).