Atriplex centralasiatica Iljin

Atriplex centralasiatica is closely related to A. sibirica. Grubov (Rast. Tsentral. Azii 2: 33. 1966) proposed varietal rank for the former under the latter; however, Sukhorukov (Taxon. Chorol. Sp. Gen. Atriplex Russia Adjac. Countries, 2003) confirmed the specific status of A. centralasiatica.

Herbs annual, 15-30 cm tall. Stem often branched throughout; branches yellow-green, obtusely 4-angled, mostly furfuraceous. Leaves petiolate, upper ones subsessile; petiole (when present) 2-6 mm; leaf blade ovate-triangular to rhombic-ovate, 2-3 × 1-2.5 cm, abaxially densely gray-white furfuraceous, adaxially gray-green, base rounded to broadly cuneate, margin sparsely serrate, with a larger pair of lobelike teeth near base, or only 1 pair of lobes and remainder entire, apex subobtuse. Inflorescences axillary glomerules. Male flowers: perianth 5-parted; segments broadly ovate; stamens 5; filaments flattened, basally united; anthers broadly ovoid to shortly cylindric, ca. 0.4 mm. Fruiting bracts connate near base, triangular, rhombic, or 3-lobed, 1-4(-4.5) cm, basal central part thickened, woody, both sides with numerous tuberculate appendages, margins herbaceous, narrower and subentire, or broader and triangular-denticulate; pedicel 1-3(-5) cm. Utricle broadly ovoid or globose, compressed; pericarp white, membranous, adnate to seed. Seed vertical, red-brown or yellow-brown, 2-3 mm in diam. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.

Gobi desert, salt deserts, wastelands, beaches, sometimes in fields, field margins. Gansu, Hebei, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Xizang [Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (Siberia); C Asia].