Krascheninnikovia lanata (L.) Gueldenstaedt

by Tina Ayers, Native Plants Class
Common names: Winterfat, white sage.
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Synonymy: Ceratoides lanata (Pursh) J.T. Powell, Eurotia lanata (Pursh ) Moq.
Etymology: The epithet lanata refer to the densely wooly foliage of the shrub.

Identification
Growth form: Winterfat is a highly branched shrub.
Roots: The root system of winterfat consists of a long taproot (to 7 m) and lateral roots branching from the taproot. Dense, fibrous roots are present in the upper horizons of the soil. Below-ground productivity is three times greater than above ground (16).
Stem: Stems arise from a gray-brown woody crown. Twigs are gray to reddish-brown and densely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves are alternate, simple, linear to lanceolate (1-4 cm long, 1.7-2.5 mm wide), and are covered with dense white hairs. Leaf margins are strongly revolute.
Inflorescence/flowers: Inflorescences are terminal and axillary in spikelike clusters of 6-8 (terminal) or 2-4 (axillary) flowers. Flowers lack petals, and are surrounded by two bracts.
Fruit: The fruit is a utricle enclosed by two bracts. Bracts are 2 horned and covered by dense tufts of white hair.
Similar species: Ceratoides latens (J.F. Guel.) Reveal and Holmgren (Eurasian winterfat) is an Old World relative of winterfat, and has been introduced to North America. A naturalized population grows in Yavapai County. Krascheninnikovia lanata can be easily distinguished from C. latens by fruits that are 5 mm long (vs. 2 mm long in C. latens).

Ecology
Life history: Winterfat is a long-lived (>120 yr) perennial (18).
Native/introduced: Native (29).
Photosynthetic pathway: C3 (13).
Phenology: In northern Arizona, winterfat flowers from late June to September(13). Fruits are disseminated from late September to October (13).
Distribution: Yukon to Saskatchewan, south to California and west to Texas. In Arizona winterfat is found in Coconino, Mojave, and Yavapai Counties in desert grasslands from 1500 to 2,000 m (4800-6250 feet) elevations (41, 65).

Uses
Wildlife: Winterfat is an important food for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits. Considered a valuable browse plant for livestock, especially sheep (17, 27, 35, 43, 64).

References
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