Atriplex gmelinii
an annual member of the Atriplex genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Chenopodiaceae
- Genus
- Atriplex
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
No member of this genus contains any toxins, all have more or less edible leaves. However, if grown with artificial fertilizers, they may concentrate harmful amounts of nitrates in their leaves.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - cooked[1]. Seed - used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in soups and stews, or mixed with cereal flours to enhance their nutritional value when making bread, biscuits, cakes etc.
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan.
- Habitat
- Sandy seashores, central and northern Japan[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow April/May in situ. Germination is usually rapid.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[2]. Most species in this genus tolerate saline and very alkaline soils[2].
References
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00