Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Atriplex argentea is a species of saltbush known by the common names silverscale saltbush and silver orache. It is native to western North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico, where it grows in many types of habitat, generally on saline soils. This is an annual herb producing branching stems which spread out low to the ground or reach erect to maximum heights approaching 80 centimeters. The leaves are triangular to roughly oval in shape and 1 to 4 centimeters long. The stems and leaves are coated in gray scales. The flower clusters are rough clusters of tiny flowers, with male and female flowers in separate clusters.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

6 - 31 in Tall

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Site type

Saline areas

Plant communities

Northern Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, Wetland-Riparian

Bees
Butterflies

Pollinators supported

0 confirmed and 12 likely

  • Likely

  • Confirmed

Angelic Sweat Bee

Agapostemon angelicus

Wide-legged Sweat Bee

Agapostemon femoratus

Orange-bellied Sweat Bee

Agapostemon melliventris

Sara Orangetip

Anthocharis sara