Gardner saltbush

Atriplex gardneri

Prostrate to upright evergreen shrub under 2 ft. tall with yellow to brown flowers, blooming May to September. Extremely salt and alkaline tolerant, occurring on heavy to medium textured saline soils in valley bottoms, plains and slopes; 2,000 to 8,000 ft. elevation. Often occurs in pure stands in harsh, arid saltbush and desert shrub communities. Mineral properties make it difficult to carry wildfire when ignited and may be used in native fuelbreaks; vigorous root sprouter after fire. Establishes in processed oil shales and coal mine spoils on reclamation soils. Nutritious and palatable forage for livestock and wildlife and an important winter food source.