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

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 15 likely

Confirmed Likely

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Edwards' Beach Moth

Anarta edwardsii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis