Introductory
SPECIES: Atriplex canescens | Fourwing Saltbush 



ABBREVIATION : 
ATRCAN

SYNONYMS : 
   Atriplex occidentalis
   Atriplex tetraptera
   Atriplex nuttallii
   Obione canescens
   Obione occidentalis
   Obione tetraptera
   Pterchiton canescens
   Pterchiton occidentalis


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   ATCA2


COMMON NAMES : 
   fourwing saltbush
   wingscale
   hoary saltbush
   shadscale
   chamiza
   buckwheat shrub
   cenizo
   bushy atriplex
   salt sage
   wafer sage


TAXONOMY : 
The fully documented scientific name of fourwing saltbush is Atriplex
canescens (Pursh) Nutt. [18].  Commonly recognized subspecies and
varieties are as follows [18]:

        Atriplex canescens ssp. aptera (A. Nels.) Hall & Clements
        Atriplex canescens ssp. canescens
        Atriplex canescens ssp. canescens var. canescens
        Atriplex canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata Parish

Fourwing saltbush is one of the most variable and rapidly evolving
species in North America [53].  Numerous ecotypes, races, varieties, and
forms have been described.  Mutations, alloploidy, and autoploidy are
common.  Both diploid and polyploid (2n, 4n, 6n, 10n, 12n) races have
been described, and hybridization with other saltbush species is common.
Natural hybrids occur between fourwing saltbush and twelve other species
of saltbush (Atriplex spp.) including Atriplex tridentata, shadscale (A.
confertifolia), mound saltbush (A. obovata), Castle Valley clover (A.
cuneata), saltsage (A. gardneri), A. falcata, allscale saltbush (A.
polycarpa), and A. garrettii [51,52,53].  Artificial hybrids with spiny
hopsage (Grayia spinosa), spineless hopsage (G. brandegi), and black
greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) have also been produced [39].
Fourwing saltbush x Atriplex tridentata hybrids are very common
throughout Utah [52].  Saltsage x fourwing saltbush hybrids are
widespread in northern Wyoming and southern Montana and form populations
which have been delineated as the subspecies A. canescens ssp. aptera
(aptera fourwing saltbush).  Some taxonomists prefer to recognize this
entity as a separate species, A. aptera [52].  Products of fourwing
saltbush x A. falcata crosses have been designated "A. bonnevillensis"
by some taxonomists, and products of hybridization with allscale
saltbush have been delineated as "A. laciniata" [52].


LIFE FORM : 
Shrub

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, November 1986.



LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, September 1990


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Tirmenstein, Debra A. 1986. Atriplex canescens. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Atriplex canescens | Fourwing Saltbush