Atriplex prostrata

Boucher ex DC.

Spear-leaved orache

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds 15,452 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Atriplex prostrata, called the spear-leaved orache, hastate orache, thin-leaf orache, triangle orache, and fat hen, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the saltbush genus Atriplex, native to Europe, Macaronesia, northern Africa, Ethiopia, the Middle East, western Siberia, and Central Asia, and introduced to temperate North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, and Primorsky Krai in far eastern Russia. It is a facultative halophyte.

Description

An annual herb reaching 1 m high. The stems trail near the ground. The leaves are alternate. They have leaf stalks. The leaf blade is 5-8 cm long. It has teeth along the edge. The leaves are mealy grey-green. The seeding spikes are wiry.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used in pies, pickles, and stews. Both leaves and seeds are edible.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used in pies and pickles. They are also used in stews.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in valley moist meadows, roadsides. It grows by the sea on salty soils. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Europe, Falklands, France, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Uruguay,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Notes

There are about 100-300 Atriplex species. They have also been put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Synonyms

Atriplex hastata var. macrotheca Rafn.Atriplex microsperma Waldst. & Kit.Atriplex triangularis Willdand several others

Also Known As

Armuelle silvestre, Atriplice comune, Espinaca, Hastate Orache, Ji ye bin li, Kopievidna loboda, Tangmelde

References (18)

Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 40
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 118
Centofanti, T. & Banuelos, G., 2019, Practical uses of Halophytic Plants as Sources of Food and Fodder. CAB International. p 331 (As Atriplex triangularis)
Cerne, M., 1992, Wild Plants from Slovenia used as Vegetables. Acta Horticulturae 318 (As Atriplex hastata)
Girard, N. J., 2020, Sustainable Foraging of Wild Edible Plants in Norway. A Bioculutral Approach. M. Sc. thesis Norwegian University. p 127

Show all 18 references

J. B. P. A. M. de Lamarck & A. P. de Candolle, Fl. franc. ed. 3, 3:387. 1805
Low, T., 1991, Wild Herbs of Australia and New Zealand. Angus & Robertson. p 47 (Drawing)
Mabey, R., 1973, Food for Free. A Guide to the edible wild plants of Britain, Collins. p 91
Malezas Comestibles del Cono Sur, INTA, 2009, Buernos Aires
Nedelcheva A., 2013, An ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Bulgaria. EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 7, 77-94
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 201
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tardio, J., et al, 2006, Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain. Botanical J. Linnean Soc. 152, 27-71
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 21
Upson, R., & Lewis R., 2014, Updated Vascular Plant Checklist and Atlas for the Falkland Islands. Falklands Conservation and Kew.
van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 79
www.eFloras.org Flora of China
Zhu Gelin (Chu Ge-ling); Steven E. Clemants, CHENOPODIACEAE [Draft], Flora of China