Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Atriplex californica is a species of saltbush known by the common name California saltbush, or California orache. It is native to coastal California and Baja California, where it grows in areas with saline soils, such as beaches and salt marshes. This is a perennial herb growing from a fleshy caudex and taproot. Many stems spread to a maximum width of about 80 centimeters and 30 centimeters in height. The scaly gray-green leaves are lance-shaped to oval and less than 3 centimeters long. The plant may be monoecious or dioecious, with some plants having both male and female flower types, and others having just one. Both types of flower cluster are rough clusters of tiny flowers.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

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Color

Green, Cream, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast, Standing

Site type

Sandy places, dunes, salt marshes

Plant communities

Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Salt Marsh, Coastal Strand, Wetland-Riparian

Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Edwards' Beach Moth

Anarta edwardsii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis