This plant has a C4 photosynthetic pathway which allows it to conserve more water in arid regions due to the efficiency of this pathway. Because this is a C4 plant, its stomata are open during the day allowing photosynthesis to occur shortly after carbon dioxide is obtained. Since photosynthesis takes place in inner cells of the leaf and carbon dioxide is taken up by outer cells in the leaf, there is a short time delay between when carbon is acquired and photosynthesis begins. As far as temperature goes, this plant is dormant during the periods of extremely high temperatures in the summer. It can survive desert lows of -10 as well, though not for extended periods of time, especially in wet winter soils. The general rule of thumb as far as climate temperature goes is: If the ground freezes, the plant dies. This gray/green plant with alternating, ovate leaves blooms with small yellow flowers between January and April. Desert Holly grows to be 2 to 3.4 feet in height and generally appears to be a round, compact shrub. Its leaves are up to 1.5 inches long and are sharp and dentate. The leaves have a silver color to help reflect desert sunlight. They also grow on an angle so as to reduce exposure to the sun. This is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are short, dense glomerules and tend to be spiky. The female flowers are composed of two stigmas and an ovary on short stalks. Occasionally, there are “inconsistent males” that are monoecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on the same plant. This plant produces small round fruit after flower production that is often used for decoration. Desert holly grows and pollinates in the winter and early spring, depending on wind to pollinate it. To see seeds, click here, and scroll down to the last image. Atriplex hymenelytra seeds are the letter C in this image. They are winged seeds, so as to disperse easily with the aid of a desert breeze.