Staminate inflorescences of elongate spikes or panicles, with numerous, beadlike glomerules. Fruiting bracteoles mainly 1-veined, 2.1-3.5 × 1.7-3.5 mm wide.

Flowering spring-fall. Alkaline valleys, marshy areas, valley grasslands, coastal sage scrub, sometimes ruderal weed; 70-1300 m; Calif., Nev.; Mexico (Baja California).

The most striking feature of Atriplex serenana var. serenana is its usually elongate, paniculate staminate inflorescence with its numerous beadlike glomerules. The taxon in the broad sense is closely allied to the disjunct Atriplex wrightii.