| Atriplex hymenelytra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Atriplex |
| Species: | A. hymenelytra |
| Binomial name | |
| Atriplex hymenelytra Torr. ex S.Wats. |
|
Atriplex hymenelytra is a species of saltbush known by the common name desert holly. Desert holly is native to the Southwestern United States, California, Baja California, and northwestern Mexico. [1]
This is a desert-dwelling shrub, such as in the Mojave Desert, reaching heights of between one half and one meter, 1.5-3 feet. It is generally a rounded bush covered in distinctive reflective silver-gray, twisted, oblong, many-pointed leaves. The colour is from salt left on their leaves, this helps reflect the light and therefore reduce the amount of water lost. The fruits are enclosed in disc-shaped bracteoles after flowering. [1]
The toothed leaves and the small reddish fruits borne on the plant give it a passing resemblance to the unrelated European holly. [1]