Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Four-winged saltbush
Díwózhiiłbéíí
(a.k.a. chamiza, fourwing saltbush, fourwinged saltbush)

Staminate (male) flowers forming a dense spike at the end of a branch
Patrick Alexander

Four-winged saltbush loses its leaves in drought. It has grayish-white to pale green leaves. Mature plants range from 1 to 8 feet in height, depending on ecotype, soil, and climate, but it is most common on bottomland sites. Its root system can reach depths of up to 20 feet when soil type allows.

Among the most preferred shrubs of the Southwest, its leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds are used by all livestock except horses. This is a nutritious plant. It has a good rating for sheep and goats; fair for cattle.

Four-winged saltbush often has male and female flowers on separate plants. Male flowers are red to yellow and form dense spikes at the ends of the branches. The female flowers are axillary and nondescript. The seed is contained in a winged sac that turns a dull yellow when ripe and may remain attached to the plant throughout winter.

Species of saltbush on the Navajo Endangered Species List:

  • Atriplex garrettii var. navajoensis Navajo Saltbush (Group 4 Navajo Endangered Species List)

Large green/grayish shrub with round leaves.
Morris Southward, PhD
Foliage and seeds at the end of a branch
Patrick Alexander
Green/grayish shrub in its growth habit.
Renee Benally
Growth habit, seeds, and brushland habitat
Renee Benally
Brushy, dense growth
Amy Smith Muise
Brushland habitat
Amy Smith Muise
Dense dried growth structure
Amy Smith Muise
Single branch of a shrub with heavy load of roundish light green/yellow seeds.
Amy Smith Muise
Close-up of seedpods in black-and-white.
Amy Smith Muise
Scientific Name
Atriplex canescens
Plant Type
Brush
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitat
Brushlands
Flower Colors
  • Red/Pink
  • Yellow
✓
Good livestock forage
For definitions, see the glossary.

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