Saltbush: Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:
Saltbush is a semi-evergreen, medium-sized shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall.
Bark:
The bark is reddish-brown to gray and becomes furrowed with age.
Twigs:
The twigs are green and sometimes sticky.
Leaves:
The leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. The shape is egg-like, with dentate (toothed) margins on the top half of the leaf giving it a "spork-like" appearance. The leaves are up to 2 ½ inches long and are shiny green above, paler or silvery-gray below.
Flowers:
The female flowers are showy white with straight feathery bristles which remain on the plant until the fruits are dispersed. The male flowers are yellow and are not showy.
Fruit:
The fruit is a small achene with long white feathery bristles that is wind dispersed.