Atriplex prostrata Boucher ex DC.

Much-branched, prostrate, spreading to suberect, ± farinose annual monoecious herb. Stems ± slender; ribs and nodes often purplish or dark red. Petiole of lower lvs usually 1–2.5 cm long, slender; lamina of lower lvs 1–9 × 0.75–8 cm, mostly narrowly to broadly triangular-hastate, sometimes ± ovate or rhombic-ovate, green, glaucous or sometimes reddish, sparsely to prominently and deeply dentate above basal lobes; base usually truncate, sometimes broad- cuneate or sagittate; apex acute or subacute. Infl. lvs smaller and more often ovate to lanceolate. Infl. of long reddish or brownish spikes; fls in glomerules. ♂ fls: perianth 0.5–0.8 mm long with margins hyaline. ♀ fls: bracteoles 1–2 mm long at anthesis, sessile, triangular-hastate, broad-ovate or rhombic-ovate, usually dentate, less commonly entire, generally with appendages. Fruiting bracteoles to 9 × 6.5 mm, sometimes unequal, almost free or shortly united. Fr. enclosed by bracteoles, 1–2.5 mm long, ± circular, laterally flattened; pericarp easily removed; larger-fruited plants with bracteoles often larger and lacking appendages. Testa shining black or deep brown, smooth.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.