shadscale Chenopodiaceae Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frém.) S. Watson   symbol: ATCO
	Leaf: Evergreen or shedding leaves during the winter and during drought, alternate, oval to nearly round, entire, thickened, 1/2 inch long, silvery gray-green and scruffy, often very sparse, crushed leaves may smell "fishy". Flower: Dioecious; inconspicuous, greenish, in axillary and terminal spikes, usually appear spring. Fruit: Technically utricles, initially green ripening to pink and then light brown, 1/2 inch, clustered at the branch tips, with two round papery wings enclosing the seed, ripen in fall and persisting. Twig: Slender, light gray, older stems rigid, sharp-pointed, with pale scruffy scales. Bark: Light gray-brown, older stems can become coarsely irregularly furrowed. Form: A small multi-stemmed rounded shrub to 3 feet tall and wide. Often in nearly pure "stands" or mixed with blackbrush.
	No range map exists for this species. See a map of the states in which Atriplex confertifolia can be found (opens a new window). USDAFS Additional Silvics - USDA Plants Database Atriplex confertifolia is native to North America.