Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Atriplex leucophylla is a species of saltbush known by the common names beach saltbush and white orache. It is native to the coastline of California and Baja California, where it is a resident of beach dunes and other sandy areas. This is a short, sprawling perennial herb reaching a maximum height near 30 centimeters. The branching stems grow along the ground or slightly upright and may be up to a meter long. The plentiful leaves are oval in shape and are 1 to 4 centimeters long. The foliage and sometimes the stems are rough with whitish scaly surfaces. The plants are monoecious, with individuals producing male and female flowers. The staminate (male) flowers grow in rounded clusters and lack leafs. The pistillate (female) flowers are oval or round ovaries surrounded by spongy leafs. They develop into fruits containing small seeds.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 ft Tall

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

White, Green

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Extremely Low, Very Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers beach sand.

Site type

Sandy places, dunes

Plant communities

Coastal Strand, Wetland-Riparian

Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 12 likely

Confirmed Likely

Western Pygmy Blue

Brephidium exilis

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Edwards' Beach Moth

Anarta edwardsii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica