Atriplex dioica
(Saline Atriplex)

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The Flora of North America states "The species [Atriplex dioica] forms a mirror-image set of specimens with the remarkably similar Atriplex prostrata, from which it may be distinguished in most cases by the thickened, merely ovate to lanceolate leaf blades, and less commonly but in some localities exclusively triangular-hastate to lanceolate, mostly scurfy and prominently 3-veined leaf blades". I believe this specimen (Plant A) is part of the first (bolded) group.

However, two species are so close that the Flora of North America goes on to say  "There does not seem to be any consistent feature or combination of features by which all specimens can be assigned to one or the other of the two taxa. Whether there are intermediates between diploid (2n = 18) A. prostrata and tetraploid or hexaploid (2n = 36, 54) A. dioica is not known".


Primary Branch
Primary Branch


Secondary Branch

Terminal Portion of Secondary Branch


Middle Leaf Top

Middle Leaf Bottom


Middle Leaf Top

Middle Leaf Bottom


Middle Leaf Top

Middle Leaf Bottom


Upper Leaf Top

Upper Leaf Bottom


Middle Leaf Top Close-Up

Middle Leaf Bottom Close-Up


Spikes of Glomerules

Spikes of Glomerules


Spikes of Glomerules, Close-Up

Several Glomerules


Single Glomerule

Male Flowers


Female Flowers, Side View

Female Flowers, Two Views


Female Flower, Near Bracteole Removed

Bracteole Inner Face


Pistil, Two Views