Atriplex angulata

Atriplex angulata is distributed widely across the inner part of mainland Australia, with occurrences recorded in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.^[7][8][5][4] It is not reported to be an abundant species, but can be locally common in patches.^[4] This native species is not strongly monitored for conservation status,^[8][9] however, is listed as critically endangered in the state of Victoria.^[10][7]

Flowering occurs mainly in Spring, beginning in July through to October, however has been noted to occur throughout the year.^{[8][7][5][4][3]} Wind is the major mode of seed and pollen dispersal.^[7]

Atriplex angulata is more commonly found in low shrubland landscapes with drier soil types, however can occur across a wide range of soil and vegetation types and as such, is difficult to classify to one habitat.^{[8][7][5][4][3]} Not a large part of native, or grazing animal diets, in times when grasses become sparse, dry or unpalatable, animals have been noted to graze on it more readily.^[11][4] Whilst not a major contributor to forage alternatives, as a low, spreading shrub, Atriplex angulata provides important ground cover in arid to semi-arid regions, providing shelter for small animals and insects and protecting against soil erosion, which in turn aids the healthy functioning of local nutrient and water cycling.^[12]

Atriplex angulata belongs to the Atriplex genus, one of the most diverse genera of the family Amaranthaceae.^[13] The genus was first recorded by Carl Linneus in 1753,^[13] with the first record of Atriplex angulata attributed to George Bentham in 1870.^[7][14] Molecular studies appear to support the development of the Atriplex genus in Eurasia, reaching Australia in the late Miocene epoch and diversifying from there.^[6] Flowering body morphology is generally considered the key classification factor, with genetic methods being increasingly used, however classification has been historically difficult as many species display convergent and discrete morphological and genetic characteristics.^[13][6]

A potential contributing factor to this variability is the tendency for Atriplex subspecies to intergrade, or breed, thus sharing genetic material with resulting lineages displaying a mixture of characteristics.^[4][5][6] Atriplex angulata has been recorded as intergrading with Atriplex pseudocampanulata, Atriplex intermedia, Atriplex turbinate and Atriplex crassipes.^[4][5]