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Atriplex nuttallii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Magnoliophyta
(unranked):	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Chenopodiaceae
Genus:	Atriplex
Species:	Atriplex nuttalli
Binomial name
“Atriplex nuttallii S. Watson

The Atriplex nuttallii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.9 m (3ft). The plants are normally dioecious(each individual plant has only male or only female flowers, but normally not both) and are pollinated by wind, but some monoecious( a plant which has both male and female flowers, as separate structures) are also present.

Distribution

Atriplex nuttallii is mainly found from from south of Washington to northwestern California; east to Saskatchewan and the Dakotas; south through Wyoming and Colorado to New Mexico and Arizona; and north to Nevada. It has been spotted into southern California.

Habitat and Ecology

The plant adopts to grow better in light and medium soils, demands well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It demands dry or moist soil. It can allow up to 13,000 ppm soluble salts and it is usually the only perennial plant that can be existed in highly saline environments. It develops in areas with 150 to 280 mm of annual precipitation.

Morphology

These species are low-growing, evergreen shrub that forms dense and prostrate. Prostrate branches often create adventitious roots when in contact with the soil. Leaves are sessile, elongated, rounded at the apex, opposite on the lower portions of stems, and alternate above. The bark is smooth, absorbent, and white. Leaf blades are densely scurfy and 7 to 18 mm wide.

Reproduction

Blooming occurs between March and May and fruits (utricles) ripen 6 to 10 weeks later. They usually produce little amount of seeds, but they still make some seeds during drought. Artificial seeding can be applied during fall because germination is near zero without cold treatment. Between 2.2 and 4.5 kg of genuine live seed/harvest are suggested for seeding rates. Seed must be scattered in separate rows and covered with a harrow. It also must be planted close to the soil with less than 1.3 cm in depth. During the first year, seedlings come out quickly and develop vigorously. It continues to grow until the condition of moisture soils becomes limiting.

Food

It has fairly good nutritional forages for livestock and wildlife species throughout its range. Antelope, mule deer, rabbits, and mourning doves graze Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex nuttallii). Its leaves are an important food source during the winter because of its persistency. It is especially important for sheep because it contributes the minimum nutritional requirement for maintenance of gestating female sheep.

References

Category:Atriplex