Four-wing saltbush is drought-tolerant and has a propensity to grow in poor alkaline soils. Despite that, it is a valuable plant in western North America.
The four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) is an abundantly growing shrub native to western and southwestern North America.
It is called “four-wing” because of the distinctive shape of its seed, and “saltbush” because of its propensity to grow in salty or alkaline soil.
Native Americans used both the seeds and the leaves for food.
Ash from the dried leaves and woody stems of the plant were used as baking soda while the seeds were ground to make a type of flour or cooked as a porridge.
High in niacin, the seeds were also used in making a cocoa-like drink called pinole.
They made soap from crushed blossoms of the plant, and a yellow dye from the plant by soaking the leaves and branches.
Shoots of the plant were put into soups and stews as both a thickener and as a taste enhancer (perhaps replacing salt).
The plant provides cover for many birds, including quail, bluebirds, mockingbirds and others. It also provides forage for deer and antelope, and food and cover for small mammals and some birds.
Found in the more arid regions of North America (as far north as southwestern Canada, as far east as North Dakota and Kansas, and well into Mexico), four-wing saltbush will also grow in arroyos and washes, drifting sand area and pinyon-juniper habitats.
Although it has an irregular and rather unruly growth pattern, with intricate branches, it can be shaped and makes an excellent hedge plant, garden “bones” plant, or ornamental.
Grow with Russian sage, daffodils, buddleia, chamissa, chokecherry and artemesia.
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