Allscale Saltbush
Cattle Spinach
Atriplex polycarpa
Drawn from a live specimen found near Lake Pleasant in Maricopa County, Arizona. A twig at lower left is shown with a gall caused by the feeding of minute gall midges (Asphondylia). They appear as compact mass of fluff. At the center may be found several yellow-orange larvae of the midge. An adult midge is shown enlarged near by. These galls are nearly always present and offer a good identification clue.
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This moth was reared from the larva stage on leaves of Allscale Saltbush -- Atriplex polycarpa. More on this insect ...
FRUIT: Scale-shaped nutlet has fine crenulations along its margin and
there is usu. a tubercle on the face. Fruit shown enlarged at right (a) in the
illustration. The nutlets are often borne in great abundance along the branch
ends.
LEAVES: Grayish-green leaves are small (usu. less than
2½ cm), oblong and more or less thickened and tough.
SHRUB: A medium to large shrub with dense, hard wood making up the lower
branches and root crown. In a habitat dominated by this shrub all will be close
to the same size, typically 1 to 2 m.
Often bearing an abundance of seeds that weighs over the branch tips. Twigs
have light gray bark and the wood is yellowish inside.
RANGE: Occurs on deep, variously flooded soils that are usually
alkaline. Flood plains of rivers or areas near agriculture and irrigation
systems also. Also known as Desert Saltbush or Alkaline Saltbush.
FLOWERS: Spikes of greenish-yellow male flowers are borne above the
clusters of greenish female flowers which only become apparent once the seeds
begin development. Pollen becomes airborne and may be of concern to hay fever
sufferers.
UNARMED: Lacks thorns although the thin, tough twigs may act as spines.
Look for the fuzzy galls of Asphondylia midges on the twigs of Allscale Saltbush, Atriplex polycarpa. These galls are almost always present and offer a good identification clue.
Several small desert birds actively forage for insects in these bushes:
