Stems erect, 3-4 dm. Leaves proximalmost alternate, distal ones short petiolate; blade ovate or ovate-elliptic to deltoid, 6-50 × 4-40 mm, margin entire or repand-dentate, grayish scurfy when young. Fruiting bracteoles sessile or some stipitate (stipe 0.5-5 mm), cuneate to obovate to suborbicular in profile, 3.8-11.2 × 4-8.8 (-14 ) mm, usually compressed, united nearly to apex, green free margin extending nearly to base, dentate, sides smooth or sparsely to densely tuberculate or cristate. 2n = 18.

Flowering summer-fall. Dry or saline substrates; above 1000 m; Alta., B.C., Man. Sask.; Ariz., Colo., Idaho, Kans., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

Atriplex argentea var. argentea occasionally may be introduced in Michigan, Missouri, and reputedly, Ohio.