Atriplex (canescens)
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Allegra Mount Seed Lab Manager Borderlands Restoration PO Box 1191 Patagonia, Arizona 85624 949-690-2592 borderlands.restoration@gmail.com www.borderlandsrestoration.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Chenopodiaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Goosefoot Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. | ||
| Common Name: | Fourwing Saltbrush | ||
| Ecotype: | Madrean Archipelago | ||
| General Distribution: |
Fourwing saltbush is a widely distributed species throughout the west. It naturally occurs from 0-8,000 feet . This drought and salt-tolerant species is valuable forage for livestock and wildlife, especially in the winter. Additionally, the deep roots of this shrub make it useful in erosion control (Kearney and Peebles 1960). |
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| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Hand collection is simple and efficient in the fall after the utricles have turned fully brown and crispy. The fruits should readily break away from the plant. There may be some potential to experiment with seed vacuum for collection of fourwing saltbush fruits. |
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| Propagule Processing: |
Only clean prior to planting since removing wing material promotes after-ripening of seed (Ogle and John). To “de-wing”, gently grind the fruits between two flat rocks to separate and break down the wing material. Periodically use No. 6 sieve to separate seeds, which will fall below. Separating de-winged seeds prevents damage of seed during the grinding process. Be careful to not damage the hull that surrounds the seed. Seeds can be stored for 6-10 years (Ogle and John). |
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| Establishment Phase: |
Fourwing saltbush is difficult to grow due to low utricle fill, seed dormancy, and generally poor germination rates (Wiesner and Johnson 1977). Cuttings of young shoots according to the protocol established in Wiesner and Johnson 1977 may be worthwhile to experiment with in growing this species for restoration projects. Williams and Kay 1974 saw improved germination of A. canescens after scoring seeds with a razor blade. Jan. 2017- Germination trials are in effect using seed from Montezuma Castle National Monument. Three cold stratification treatments are being applied at 5 week, 8-week, and 12-week durations. |
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| References: |
Kearney, Thomas H., and Robert H. Peebles. Arizona Flora. Berkeley: U of California, 1960. Print. Ogle, Daniel G. and Loren St. John. “Plant Guide for fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.).” USDA NRCS Plant Guide. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho State Office, Boise, ID. Web. https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_atca2.pdf [2017, Januray 25]. Wiesner, Loren E., and Wallace J. Johnson. "Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) propagation techniques." Journal of Range Management Archives 30.2 (1977): 154-156. Williams, W., O. Cook, and B. Kay. "Germination of native desert shrubs." California Agriculture 28.8 (1974): 13-13. |
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Citation:
Allen-Cantú, Juniper; Claverie, Francesca; McNelis, Perin; Mount, Allegra. 2018. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. Plants Borderlands Restoration Patagonia, Arizona. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/19). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
