Family: Amaranthaceae
Atriplex lentiformis, commonly known as quailbush or big saltbrush, is a tough, salt-tolerant shrub native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its ability to thrive in hot, dry, and highly saline soils has made it useful elsewhere for erosion control, windbreaks, and habitat restoration. The plant forms dense, tangled thickets that offer food and cover for wildlife, especially birds, and its durability has made it a popular choice in xeriscaping and other low-water landscapes.
In Hawaiʻi, Atriplex lentiformis is naturalized on Molokaʻi and has been rated High Risk due to traits that could allow it to spread and dominate disturbed areas. Its rapid growth, tolerance of harsh conditions, and capacity to form dense stands raise concerns about competition with native species and impacts on sensitive coastal or dryland habitats. Because of these risks, quailbush is not recommended for cultivation in the Hawaiian Islands.
High Risk Traits:
- Environmental versatility - Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
- Naturalized in Molokai, Hawaiian Islands and Western Australia
- Related Atriplex species have become invasive
- Pollen is potentially allergenic
- Tolerates many soil types, but especially alkaline soils
- Forms thickets within native range
- Reaches maturity in 3 years
- Plants typically change from dioecious to monoecious, but can also change from female to male.
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water and possibly animals
- Seeds may form a persistent seed bank
- Fire-tolerant
Low Risk Traits:
- Palatable to cattle
- Thrives in full sun and unlikely to invade densely shaded sites
