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Description
Atriplex buchananii, commonly known as Buchanan’s saltbush, is a large, evergreen shrub that is native to the coastal areas of California and Baja California. It grows up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide with a dense, rounded form. The foliage is a silvery-grey color, and the plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring and summer.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus | Atriplex |
Appearance
Buchanan’s saltbush has a unique appearance with its silvery-grey leaves that are covered in small hairs. The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with a toothed margin. The shrub has a dense, rounded form, and it can grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring and summer that are not very showy.
Care Guide
Buchanan’s saltbush is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. Here are some care tips:- Water: This plant is drought-resistant and can tolerate periods of drought. It prefers well-draining soil and should be watered deeply once a week during the hotter months.- Fertilization: This plant does not require fertilizer and can thrive in nutrient-poor soil.- Soil: Buchanan’s saltbush prefers well-draining soil that is sandy or loamy. It can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, from acidic to alkaline.- Sunlight: This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.- Hardiness Zones: Buchanan’s saltbush is hardy in USDA zones 8-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Buchanan’s saltbush is relatively pest and disease resistant. However, it can be susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot if it is grown in poorly-draining soil. It can also be attacked by spider mites and aphids, but these pests are not usually a serious problem.
Habitat
Buchanan’s saltbush is native to the coastal areas of California and Baja California. It can be found growing in dry, sandy soils in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and coastal strand habitats. It is an important plant for stabilizing sand dunes and preventing erosion.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Buchanan’s saltbush tolerate salty soil?
A: Yes, Buchanan’s saltbush is extremely salt-tolerant and can grow in soils with high levels of salt.
Q: Is Buchanan’s saltbush a good plant for erosion control?
A: Yes, Buchanan’s saltbush is an excellent plant for stabilizing sand dunes and preventing erosion in coastal areas.
Q: How often should I water my Buchanan’s saltbush?
A: This plant is drought-resistant and can tolerate periods of drought. It prefers well-draining soil and should be watered deeply once a week during the hotter months.
Q: Can Buchanan’s saltbush be grown in containers?
A: Yes, Buchanan’s saltbush can be grown in containers, but it will require more frequent watering and fertilization.
Related Plants
– Atriplex canescens (Four-wing saltbush)- Atriplex lentiformis (Quailbush)- Atriplex halimus (Mediterranean saltbush)- Atriplex nummularia (Old man saltbush)- Atriplex patula (Spreading saltbush)
References
– “Atriplex Buchananii.” Calflora, University of California, Berkeley, n.d., https://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=834.- “Atriplex Buchananii.” USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, n.d., https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ATBU.
