COAST SALTBUSH   Atriplex lentiformis CHENOPODIACAE Coast saltbush, Quailbush		As it's other common name indicates, quail bush is an excellent habitat plant, providing cover, edible seeds and salt from nibbled leaves.  The leaves also provide food for the larvae of the smallest butterfly of North America, the Pygmy Blue Butterfly.       In the landscape saltbush is a "tough as nails" plant on erosion prone banks. It can also be cut as a hedge or winbreak. Saltbush is one of the best choices for fire prone interfaces since it is fire retardant.
HABITAT: Coastal Bluff scrub/ desert basin scrub DISTRIBUTION: Palos Verdes Peninsula/ Southern California Coast/ Mojave Desert and Colorado. GROWTH HABIT: Evergreen (grey) dioecious shrub SIZE: 8'x15' quick growing LEAF: Grey, triangular, mealy to tough EXPOSURE: Full sun. Extreme drought tolerance but can take extra water.     Coast Saltbush is a large spreading gray shrub that forms a very dense mound.  It grows in the most difficult of circumstances with ease.  The coastal form can be found close to the splash zone on some beaches.  It's able to survive this extreme alkalinity because it can flush salt through its system and accumulate it in the leaves.  The fruit (seed) has a lense like shape hense it's species name lentiformis.  All parts of this plant are edible making it very attractive to wildlife.