AUSTRALIAN SALTBUSH. 6 



perennials, but under some conditions they live but two or three 

 years. Near Paso Robles, Calif., where they have been grown under 

 cultivation, the growth is strong and vigorous the first year, becomes 

 much weakened in the second year, and after that the plants soon 

 succumb. (Fig. 2.) In this particular locality this sal tbush has not 

 become aggressive, and while a few plants have escaped from cultiva- 

 tion, they are weak and spindling and do not show the usual vigor 

 of plants under cultivation the first year. While there are no definite 



Fig. 2. — The Australian saltbush grown under cultivation in a young apple orchard at Paso Kobles, Calif. 



records as to the length of life of these plants in favorable regions, 

 such as Los Angeles and San Diego, from general appearances it 

 would seem that they live for a number of years. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The Australian saltbush has become naturalized, that is, fully 

 established, only in California and Arizona. In California it is con- 

 fined to the coastal region south of San Francisco and to the irrigated 

 districts of the Imperial Valley and the upper San Joaquin Valley, 

 centering about Tulare and Bakersfield. In Arizona it is found in 

 the agricultural areas of the Salt River Valley about Phoenix, in the 

 Santa Cruz Valley about Tucson, and in the Yuma Valley near 

 Yuma. The northern limit where this saltbush has been observed 

 is Hollister, Calif., about 100 miles south of San Francisco. In this 

 district it occurs in small quantity, and while it makes a very luxu- 

 riant growth it does not develop seed in such abundance as farther 

 south. In the Salinas Valley, Calif., it is found all the way from 

 Salinas to some distance beyond Soledad. It is not abundant in this 

 valley, but the plants make a vigorous growth and develop a heavy 



