Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr.
Gardner's sagebrush
Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
(Previously in Chenopodiaceae)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Gardner's sagebrush
Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
(Previously in Chenopodiaceae)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
Atriplex gardneri var. gardneri
Species Information
General:
Perennial semishrub with a woody base; stems erect or spreading, freely branched, 10-60 cm tall.
Leaves:
Leaves alternate, narrowly spoon-shaped to oblong, 2-5 cm long, 2-12 mm wide, narrowed gradually to a short stalk or sometimes unstalked, densely greyish-scurfy, usually smooth margined.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of axillary or terminal, leafless spikes or panicles; pistillate bracteoles irregularly toothed and smooth to pimply, 3-7 mm long, lanceolate to elliptic or rounded.
Fruits:
Membranous pericarps; seeds erect, about 2 mm long.
USDA Species Characteristics
Flower Colour:
Yellow
Blooming Period:
Late Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Fall
Source: The USDA
Habitat and Range
Dry grassy slopes in the montane zone; rare in NE BC, known only from Clayhurst Crossing, Peace River; E to SK and S to ID, CO, UT, NM and AZ.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Atriplex buxifolia Rydb.
Atriplex gordonii Hook.
Atriplex nuttallii S. Watson
Atriplex nuttallii subsp. buxifolia (Rydb.) H.M. Hall & Clem.
Atriplex nuttallii subsp. gardneri (Moq.) H.M. Hall & Clem.
Taxonomic Notes
"The genus Atriplex, commonly called orache, atriplex or saltbush, of the family Chenopodiaceae (the goosefoot family), comprises nearly 200 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. Most of the species are halophytes of coastal or inland saline habitats; a few are widespread ruderals of disturbed ground." (Bassett et al. 1983).
References Bassett, I. J., C. W. Crompton, J. McNeill and P. M. Taschereau. 1983. The genus Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae) in Canada. Monograph #31, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa. |