Atriplex megalotheca Popov ex Iljin in Shishkin, Fl. URSS 6: 873. 1936.

Fruiting bracts mostly 3-lobed, 1-4(-4.5) cm, middle lobe larger than lateral ones, margins broader, triangular-denticulate; pedicel usually 1-3(-5) cm.

According to a new taxonomic treatment of Atriplex by Sukhorukov (Taxon. Chorol. Sp. Gen. Atriplex Russia Adjac. Countries, 2003), A. centralasiatica and A. megalotheca are treated as distinct species belonging to different sections (A. sect. Obione (Gaertner) C. A. Meyer and A. sect. Sclerocalymma Ascherson, respectively). The taxonomy of these entities is in need of revision.

Wastelands, field margins. W Gansu, S Xinjiang [Kazakhstan].