Broadscale saltbush flowers during July and the fruit ripens approximately 7 weeks 

 later (Hanson 1962). This shrub produces an average of 207,630 cleaned utricles per 

 pound (458/g) . 



Hybridization: Hanson (1962) reported there are no definitely known hybrids 

 between A. obovata and other species; however, Atriptex specimens intermediate between 

 A. acanthocarpa and A. obovata have been reported from Arizona (Kearney and Peebles 1960). 

 H. C. Stutz and C. L. Pope (personal communication) have discovered both diploid 

 (2n = 18) and tetraploid (2n = 36) A. obovata. 



Distribution and habitat: Broadscale saltbush ranges from southeastern Utah, east- 

 ern Arizona, through western New Mexico and western Texas, to northern Mexico. The 

 largest individual plants of this species are found in the more sandy localities. Broad- 

 scale saltbush tolerates salinity from 165 to 4,900 p/m soluble salts (Hanson 1962). It 

 is commonly associated with such halophytes as black greasewood, seepweed {Suaeda) , and 

 alkali sacaton {Sporobolus airoides) . 



Use: Broadscale saltbush is an important browse plant in alkaline areas. It makes 

 rapid growth and is most succulent in the spring. Within areas of adaptation, this 

 species should be useful for stabilizing disturbed sites. It has been observed to in- 

 vade the disturbed margins of newly constructed highways. 



I 



Ceraioides lanata (winterfat) 



Winterfat's longstanding scientific binomial, Eurotia lanata, has been recently 

 changed by Howell (1971). He proposed the naiae Ceratoides lanata. Winterfat is an 

 erect or spreading subshrub that shows wide variation in stature from dwarf forms less 

 than 40 cm in height to larger forms to 1.5 meters (fig. 29). The dwarf forms are 



Figure 29. — Tall (left of stake) and dwarf (rignt of stake) forms of winterfat 

 rCeratoides lanataj at end of second season of growth on a site in the Quniper- 

 pinyon type^ Sanpete County ^ Utah. 



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