Practical
Plants

Atriplex patula

Spreading Orach

an annual member of the Atriplex genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Wind, Insects, Self
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind, Insects, Self

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.

Most reports say that no member of this genus contains any toxins and that all have more or less edible leaves. However, one report says that if very large quantities are eaten they can cause photosensitivity[8]. If plants are 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 - raw or cooked as a spinach substitute[7][9][11][2][4]. A fairly bland flavour, a few leaves of stronger-flavoured plants can be added to enhance the taste[10]. Seed - ground and mixed with cornmeal or used to thicken soups etc[4]. Small and very fiddly to harvest and use[10].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seeds, harvested when just ripe, are said to be as efficacious as ipecacuanha as a laxative[6].

Product or use
Laxative

Environment

Range
Most f Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Habitat
Waste and arable land near the coast[10], it is usually found on clays and heavy ground[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow April/May in situ[1]. Germination is usually rapid.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil[5]. Prefers a rich soil. Tolerates saline and very alkaline soils[5].

References

  1. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  2. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  8. Bolton. E. Lichens for Vegetable Dyeing. Studio Vista 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70288-7

    ↩

  9. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩

  10. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩

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