General:
Annual herb from a taproot; stems erect or curved, simple or branched, 25-120 cm tall, greyish-mealy above.

Leaves:
Lower leaves opposite, upper leaves alternate, short-stalked or stalkless, copiously and permanently greyish-mealy, especially on the lower surfaces, greyish-green above, lance-shaped to lance-linear or oblong, 2-7 cm long, squared-off to arrowhead-shaped at the base, smooth to wavy margins but not toothed.

Flowers:
Inflorescence of densely compacted axillary spikes or panicles, greenish, tiny, numerous; pistillate bracteoles wedge-shaped to oblong, 2.0-3.5 mm long, entire to undulating, never toothed.

Fruits:
Membranous bladders enclosed by 2 lance-shaped, smooth or wavy-margined bracts; seeds 1.5 mm long.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

"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.