Common Orache, Spreading orach
Atriplex patula

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 30 cm to 1.5 m tall. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are sword shaped and 3-14 cm long. The lower leaves can be more broad with a wedge shaped base that tapers into a short leaf stalk. The upper leaves do not have a leaf stalk. The seeds are 1.2-1.5 mm across.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows between sea level and 500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Europe, Falklands, France, Germany, Hungary, Mediterranean, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Russia, Slovenia, South America, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are used in soups. The seeds can be ground and cooked and eaten.

The leaves are rarely used.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Halberd-leaved saltbush, Lebeda rozkladita, Loboda, Spearscale, Tibidas, Vad laboda

Synonyms

Several