Atriplex nummularia Lindl.

Atriplex nummularia is a rather coarse, broad-leaved, vigorous shrub, which has spread from some early introduction from Australia, possibly for use in stabilizing land.

One of us (Clemants) observes that the above description does not correspond with that of Atriplex nummularia given by Wilson (in George, Fl. Australia 4: 130. 1984). Among the characters that are different are: herbs (Taiwan) vs. shrubs (Australia); leaves 1–1.5 cm (Taiwan) vs. leaves 2–4 cm (Australia). The species is included in Fl. Taiwan, ed. 2, but no specimen was seen by us. The plants in Taiwan might be an aberrant form of A. maximowicziana.

Shrubs, semidioecious, mainly (15-)20-30 dm, with striated twigs. Leaves mostly alternate, short petiolate; blade broadly ovate, rhombic to suborbiculate, (15-)30-65 mm, about as wide, thick, base cuneate, margin sinuate-dentate, apex obtuse to rounded. Staminate flowers crowded in glomerules on short or elongate, interrupted spikes in large paniculate clusters to 20 cm. Pistillate flowers in dense, compound panicles, or axillary, or along staminate panicle branches. Fruiting bracteoles sessile, reticulately veined, rhombic to orbiculate, 5-12(-15) × 5-11 mm, papery all over or thick and corky, margin subentire to coarsely few-toothed. Seeds brown, 2 mm wide.

Herbs perennial, to 2 m tall. Stems erect, much branched, slightly ribbed. Leaves shortly petiolate; leaf blade ovate to rhombic-ovate, usually 1-1.5 × 0.6-1 cm, furfuraceous, base subcuneate to broadly cuneate, decurrent, margin with 1-3 pairs of undulate teeth, or entire, apex rounded to subobtuse. Inflorescences axillary glomerules borne toward apex of branches, forming small panicles. Fruiting bracts connate at base, semiorbicular, ca. 7 mm wide, basal central part swollen and hardened, margins green, with finely undulate teeth.

introduced; Ariz., Calif.; Mexico; Australia.

Flowering summer-fall.

Sandy coastal bluffs, disturbed sites such as roadsides; 0-2300m.

Naturalized. Taiwan (including Penghu Dao) [native to Australia].

Atriplex johnstonii C. B. Wolf