Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale) is a species of evergreen shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family, which is native to the western United States. Shadscale is a common, often dominant, shrub in the lowest and driest areas of the Great Basin. It prefers sandy, well-drained soils and it is tolerant of moderately saline conditions. Its height varies from 1 to 3 feet. Compared to fourwing saltbush, shadscale has shorter and wider leaves and the fruit does not have four wings (although it may have two wings in a "V" shape).

Plant type

Shrub

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Slow

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, Cream

Flowering season

Summer

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need dry storage for about 6 mos.; stored seeds, no treatment. (USDA Forest Service 1974). 2 wks. stratification may improve germination (Stidham et al. 1980).

Site type

Alkaline flats, gravelly slopes

Plant communities

Woodland

Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Edwards' Beach Moth

Anarta edwardsii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis

Chionodes kincaidella