Atriplex parishii var. persistens
refuge orach
erect or ascending, 1–2 dm;
branches crowded, spreading, scurfy.
alternate or opposite (within populations or on same plant), sessile;
blade gray-green, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2–4 × 1–3 mm, base cuneate to subcordate, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate, scurfy on both surfaces; bracteate leaves opposite or subopposite, some long villous hairs sometimes present.
in axillary glomerules near branch apices and/or in terminal spikes 0.5–4 cm, 4–5-merous;
anthers reddish purple.
commonly solitary in axils below staminate inflorescences or intermixed.
red-brown, 1.2–1.5 mm wide.
bracteoles persistent, ovate-oblong, slightly compressed, 3–4 × 2.5–3.5(–4) mm, hardened to middle, with 1–2 irregular tuberculate appendages on each face, densely scurfy.
Atriplex parishii var. persistens
Of conservation concern.
Atriplex depressa var. persistens grows with Atriplex fruticulosa, A. rosea, Downingia bella, Lasthenia fremontii, Cressa truxillensis, Eryngium castrense, Frankenia grandiflora, Psilocarpus brevissimus, other annual species, and Distichlis spicata. This taxon, with its persistent, thickened fruiting bracteoles, is probably most nearly allied to var. subtilis, which likewise has clinging fruiting bracteoles and at least a tendency toward concentration of staminate flowers at branch ends. Although it was described as having alternate leaves, a specimen from nearby the type locality, Hall 11006 (GH) taken in July of 1920, has leaves and foliose bracts of inflorescence clearly opposite. A note on the label of Hall 11759 (GH) states, “one plant with mostly opposite lvs; others with lvs. mostly alternate but a few on same plant plainly opposite.”
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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