328 



GENUS ATRIPLEX. 



as a distinguishing feature, since it seems to run parallel with habital and foliage c harac- 

 ters. But its variability in other species and the absence of entire constancy even 

 here, as shown in plate 51, also figure 46, suggest that further field studies may nullify 

 its criterial value. The lack of constancy is mentioned in the original descriptions of 

 nuttalli and gardneri. 







Lvs. oblong or spafu- Lvs. oblong- 



late or nearly obovate; with narrow base; 

 bracts mostly 



bracts mostly appe 

 aged 



appendaged 



Bracfs broadest above, 

 usually not append- 

 aged; (lvs. narrowly 

 oblong oroblanceo- 



Lvs. elongated, oblo 

 linear to spatulate c 

 obovate, tending to 

 broadest above the 

 middle 



Bracts broader than fi 

 form, usually ovate or c 

 long to orbicular. 



Lvs. short, broadly 

 elliptic to ovate, tend- 

 ing to be broadest 



Bracts fusiform, 



uate beak 2 mm. or more 



long. (Lvs. linear-spatulate) 



Fio. 47. — Phylogonetic chart of the subapeciea of Alrivlei 



