Species › Plants › Four-wing Saltbush

Four-wing Saltbush

Atriplex canescens

CommonPlant
Illustration of Four-wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens)

Four-wing Saltbush is a highly adaptable shrub of the arid West, tolerant of alkaline and saline soils where few plants survive. It is one of the most important browse plants for mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep in the Great Basin and Chihuahuan Desert. Its four-winged fruits are distinctive and nutritious for many birds.

Habitat
Desert shrublands, alkaline flats, and arid grasslands of the Southwest
Diet
Critical winter browse for deer, pronghorn, and sheep; seeds eaten by quail
How common
Common

Best time to see a Four-wing Saltbush

The best time to see a Four-wing Saltbush is April–October, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 13,740 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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