Cattle Saltbush
Atriplex polycarpa
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © steinm (iNaturalist #145432811)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Atriplex
- Species:
- Atriplex polycarpa
- USDA Symbol:
- ATPO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds also germinate well in post-fire conditions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions, tolerates saline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-60 days.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are leached/soaked in water for 10 to 24 hours to remove any inhibitors and to allow full imbibition of seeds prior to sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in late fall when seeds have matured. A. polycarpa is found in alkaline soils; from Owens Valley, California to Utah and south to Sonora and Lower California, Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net