Atriplex paludosa subsp. paludosa

Decumbent or sprawling shrub, to c. 1.6 m high, chiefly dioecious. Leaves narrowly elliptic to oblong, 12–40 mm long, 2–8 mm wide, margins entire, rarely coarsely toothed, upper surface green and glabrous, lower surface densely mealy and whitish. Male flowers in dense distinct or continuous globose clusters within simple or branched spikes. Female flowers few in upper axils or clusters along terminal leafless spikes to c. 15 cm long. Fruiting bracteoles sessile, fused and often slightly fleshy near base, green or somewhat mealy, triangular or broadly ovate, truncate or slightly cordate at base, entire or with a few teeth above midway, mostly 7–10 mm long and wide, dorsal appendages absent. Fruits most of year.