The genus Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae) in Canada and Alaska. III. Three hexaploid annuals: A. subspicata, A. gmelinii, and A. alaskensis

Abstract

Descriptions, illustrations, and distribution data are given for three closely related species of Atriplex native to North America. Most populations of Atriplex subspicata (Nutt.) Rydberg are hexaploid, with a chromosome count of 2n = 54. Two populations were found with counts of 2n = 36. Atriplex gmelinii C. A. Meyer and A. alaskensis S. Watson are hexaploids. Atriplex subspicata has been confused by North American botanists with A. patula L. and A. hastata L. but these introduced species are respectively tetraploid and diploid.