Practical
Plants

Atriplex halimus

Saltbush · Sea Orach

an evergreen herb shrub of the Atriplex genus in the family Chenopodiaceae. It is a hedge plant that can be used to salt food.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Atriplex halimus is a mid-sized, bushy, evergreen shrub with grey-green ovate leaves. Its flowers, if procuded are very small and borne in terminal clusters.

Habit
shrub
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
2 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
monoecious

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.

A famine food according to one report[17], but has been found to be a very useful plant in forest gardens[16].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Raw, Cooked
Plant part
Seeds
Product or use
Cooked
Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Plant part
Shoots
Product or use
Carminative

Material uses

Plant part
Plant
Product or use
Soap making

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Shrub

Hedge

The plant makes a superb wind-resistant low-growing hedge that can be allowed to grow untrimmed or can be trimmed[20].

Windbreak

It is especially valuable in maritime areas, succeeding right on the coast, though can also be used inland. The plant is extremely tolerant of pruning and can regrow even when cut back into old wood[20]

Soil Desalinator

Environment

Range
Mediterranean, North America
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Crops

Leaves

The leaves can be used at any time of the year though winter harvesting must be light because the plant is not growing much at this time.

Requires processing
No
Storable
No

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0192176218

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 32202/01/01

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

  12. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

  14. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 32202/01/01

  15. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

  16. archive:Crawford-9

    Unresolved citation

    ↩

  17. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  18. Ken Fern www.pfaf.org Plants For a Future (2012/07/26)

    • www.pfaf.org

  19. Crawford, Martin Creating a Forest Garden Permanent Publications

  20. Ken Fern Plants For a Future 2012/07/26 www.pfaf.org

    ↩1↩2

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