Four-wing saltbush is a species of evergreen shrub in the Amaranthaceae family  which is native to the western United States.  It has a highly variable form  and readily hybridizes with several other species in the Atriplex genus. Its height can vary from 1 foot to 10 feet  but 2 to 4 feet is most common. The leaves are thin and 0.5 to 2 inches long. It is most readily identified by its fruits  which have four wings at roughly 90 degree angles and are densely packed on long stems. The fruit stem resembles a mass of corn flakes.  Fourwing saltbush is most common in early succession areas such as disturbed sites and active sand dunes. It is also found in more mature successions dominated by sagebrush and shadscale.  It becomes very drought tolerant after a few good waterings. The whole plant is edible. The seeds can be ground into meal  young shoots used as greens  burn the leaves and use the ashes as baking powder. A very good bird plant. They will defoliate under extreme drought. The salt they accumulate in their leaves allows them to extract water from the soil other plants cannot.They need to be under some form of water stress  either drought  salt  or salt spray.