Sack Saltbush
Atriplex saccaria
Family: Chenopodiaceae
What it is like
Atriplex saccaria is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Mat-atriplex, shadscale, greasewood, and pinyon-juniper communities, on fine-textured saline substrates, at elevations of 1100 - 2200 metres.
South-western N. America - Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves and young plants - cooked and used as greens. A salty flavour. Seed - cooked. Used in piñole or ground into a meal and used as a thickener in making bread or mixed with flour in making bread.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
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. Requires a position in full sun in any well-drained but not too fertile soil. Tolerates saline and very alkaline soils. Although normally monoecious, plants are sometimes dioecious.
Propagating it: Seed - sow April/May in situ. Germination is usually rapid.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
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.