Cattle Saltbush
Scientific Name: Atriplex polycarpa (Torr.) S. Watson
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Caryophyllidae / Caryophyllales / Chenopodiaceae / Atriplex L./ Atriplex polycarpa (Torr.) S. Watson
| General Information |
| Usda Symbol | ATPO |
| Group | Dicot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Shrub |
| Native Locations | ATPO |
Plant Guide
Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Cattle Saltbush.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | 7 |
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| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
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| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | No |
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| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
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| Anaerobic Tolerance | None |
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| CaCO3 Tolerance | High |
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| Cold Stratification Required | No |
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| Drought Tolerance | High |
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| Fertility Requirement | Medium |
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| Fire Tolerance | Low |
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| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 170 |
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| Hedge Tolerance | Medium |
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| Moisture Use | Medium |
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| pH, Maximum | 9.0 |
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| pH, Minimum | 7.5 |
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| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 2800 |
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| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 1200 |
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| Precipitation, Maximum | 12 |
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| Precipitation, Minimum | 3 |
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| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 10 |
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| Salinity Tolerance | High |
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| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
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Morphology/Physiology
| Bloat | Low |
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| Toxicity | None |
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| Resprout Ability | Yes |
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| Shape and Orientation | Semi-Erect |
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| Active Growth Period | Summer and Fall |
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| C:N Ratio | High |
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| Coppice Potential | No |
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| Fall Conspicuous | No |
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| Fire Resistant | No |
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| Flower Color | Yellow |
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| Flower Conspicuous | No |
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| Foliage Color | Green |
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| Foliage Porosity Summer | Moderate |
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| Foliage Porosity Winter | Moderate |
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| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
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| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
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| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
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| Low Growing Grass | No |
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| Lifespan | Moderate |
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| Leaf Retention | No |
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| Known Allelopath | No |
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| Height, Mature (feet) | 6.0 |
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| Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee | 6 |
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| Growth Rate | Slow |
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| Growth Form | Multiple Stem |
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| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
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Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | Slow |
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| Small Grain | No |
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| Seedling Vigor | Low |
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| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
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| Fruit/Seed Period End | Winter |
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| Seed per Pound | 490000 |
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| Propagated by Tubers | No |
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| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
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| Propagated by Sod | No |
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| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
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| Propagated by Corm | No |
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| Propagated by Container | Yes |
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| Propagated by Bulb | No |
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| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
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| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
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| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Winter |
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| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
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| Commercial Availability | Field Collections Only |
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| Bloom Period | Mid Summer |
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| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
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Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
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| Pulpwood Product | No |
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| Protein Potential | Low |
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| Post Product | No |
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| Palatable Human | No |
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| Palatable Graze Animal | Low |
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| Palatable Browse Animal | Low |
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| Nursery Stock Product | No |
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| Naval Store Product | No |
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| Lumber Product | No |
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| Fodder Product | No |
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| Christmas Tree Product | No |
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| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
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