60 



of thick, succnlent leaves and enormous quantities of flat, winged seeds. The 

 leaves and seeds are gre:rtly relished by sheep. Green River, May 31 (3044); 

 Bitter Creek, Jnly 12 (3701); Spring Creek, August 18 (4248); Point of Rocks, 

 August 30 (4431). 

 Atriplex expansa Wats. (Spreadixg Salt-sage). — A slender-branched, silvery 

 annual, with small, triangular leaves; common on alkali flats, wiiero it some- 

 times forms a continuous growth. To be of value it would have ro bo harvested 

 shortly before it was mature. If left to mature on the ground it is of little 

 value. Wanisutter, July 10 (3673). 

 Atriplex hastata Linn. (Spheadinu Ohaciie). — Usually a tall, coarse, weed-like 

 plant, often widely branched ; either on saline or on salt-free ground, dark green 



or rarely somewhat scurfy. Probably 

 of little value. Mud Springs, July 16 

 (.37.52). 

 Atriplex nuttallii Wats. (Nuttall's Salt- 

 sage). — A perennial with shrubby 

 base and spreading branches; leaves 

 thick and succulent, numerous; seeds 

 abundant. This is the plant that the 

 sheep man has particularly in mind 

 when he speaks of salt-sage. It is the 

 most important forage plant of the 

 desert. Green River, May 31 (3060); 

 Red Desert, June 3 (3121) ; Wamsutter 

 July 10 (3667). 

 Atriplex pabularis A. Xels. (Xelson's 

 Salt-sage). — An erect, slender- 

 stemmed perennial, 8 to 16 inches 

 high, producing a large number of 

 succnlent leaves and much fruit. As 

 a promising fodder plant for strongly 

 saline soil it is certainly worthy of 

 trial. Point of Rocks, July 12 (3712) ; 

 August 30 (4429); Granger, July 30 

 (3893). 

 Atriplex truncata (iray. — A ranch- 

 branched, silvery annual that grows 

 luxuriantly on the saline soils of the 

 desert in many places. It would 

 yield a large quantity, if not very good 

 quality, of fodder if cut before maturity. Point of Rocks, August 30 (4430). 

 Eurotia lanata Moiiuin. (Winteu-tat; Sweet Sage). — A well-known, much- 

 branched i)laut, a foot or more high from a shrubby base, white, with long hairs 

 when yonng, darker when old. Exceedingly common throughout the region; 

 highly prized as sheep feed, ('Si)e(iiilly in the desert. Wamsutter, .Inly 10 (3682). 

 Kochia americana Wats. — A small plant, much branched from the woody base, 6 

 to 10 inches high. The tender annual shoots are eaten by stock, and form a part 

 of the spring forage; the younger twigs are also browsed to some extent during 

 the winter months. Green River, May 31 (3043); South P.utte, Jnly 13 (3743); 

 Point of li'ocks, August 30 (4439). 

 Sarcobatus vermiculatus Torr. (Gkease-wood, fig. 24.)— An erect ehmb with 

 spiny l)raiiches, very variable in si/e; usually not more than 2 or 3 feet high, but 

 sometimes (i or 8, with wide-spreading branches. Even this contributes to the 

 sheep feed in the desert, the slender, fleshy leaves and the numerous winged 

 seeds being greedily eaten, as well as the more tender twigs. Wamsutter, June 4 

 (3130); Bitter Creek, September 3 (4 l.")6). 



Fig. 24.— (irea.se- wood {Sarcubatus vermiculatus). 



