species 5,981 observations
Desert Holly
Atriplex hymenelytra
Field notes
Atriplex hymenelytra, the desert holly, is silvery-whitish-gray shrub in the family Amaranthaceae, native to deserts of the southwestern United States. It is the most drought tolerant saltbush in North America. It can tolerate the hottest and driest sites in Death Valley, and remains active most of the year.
The common name refers to the leaves that are shaped similar to holly, but the plants are not related. The toothed leaves and the small reddish fruits borne on the plant give it a passing resemblance to the unrelated European holly.
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Caterpillars
Moths and butterflies raised on it
Western Pygmy-Blue, Mojave Sootywing, Nutmeg Moth, Common Sootywing
6
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Hosted animals
Gall makers, leaf miners and other animals living on or in it
Saltbush Woolly Stem Gall Midge, Tumor Stem Gall Midge, Neolasioptera willistoni
3
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Plant eaters
Animals that feed on it
Mourning Dove, Pale-winged Desert Cicada
2
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Flower visitors
Pollinators and other flower visitors
Painted Lady, Convergent Lady Beetle, Leafhopper Assassin Bug, Western Aphideater
5
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
From USDA PLANTS and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.