Atriplex confertifolia
Appearance
Atriplex confertifolia | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | A. confertifolia
|
Binomial name | |
Atriplex confertifolia |
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).
Shadscale fruits and leaves provide important winter browse for both domestic livestock and native herbivores.