Atriplex hymenelytra

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Atriplex hymenelytra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Atriplex
Species: A. hymenelytra
Binomial name
Atriplex hymenelytra
Torr. ex S.Wats.

Atriplex hymenelytra is a species of saltbush known by the common name desert holly. Desert holly is native to the Southwestern United States, California, Baja California, and northwestern Mexico. [1]

[edit] Description

This is a desert-dwelling shrub, such as in the Mojave Desert, reaching heights of between one half and one meter, 1.5-3 feet. It is generally a rounded bush covered in distinctive reflective silver-gray, twisted, oblong, many-pointed leaves. The colour is from salt left on their leaves, this helps reflect the light and therefore reduce the amount of water lost. The fruits are enclosed in disc-shaped bracteoles after flowering. [1]

The toothed leaves and the small reddish fruits borne on the plant give it a passing resemblance to the unrelated European holly. [1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links


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