Mountain spinach, Garden orache, Sea Purslane
Atriplex hortensis

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows up to 2 m tall and spreads 40-50 cm wide. The leaves are triangular. They are greyish green. They can be red or yellow. They are 10-15 cm long and have small teeth along the edge. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of the plant. These can be 20 cm long. They are green or red but insignificant. The fruit are very small brown plate like seeds. There are several named cultivated varieties.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate or Mediterranean plant. It is best in nitrogen rich soils. It can tolerate salty conditions. It suits hardiness zones 6-11. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iraq, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Netherlands, North America, Northeastern India, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are used in salads and soups. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. Seeds are used in soups and muffins. CAUTION: It contains some toxic substances so should not be eaten for long periods.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings. In warm weather pinch out the flower heads to prevent the plant running to seed.

It is fast growing. Leaves are harvested after 30-35 days.

Its other names

Local names

Armuelle, Butter leaves, Chakotte soppu, Chakwat, Chandanbatva, Fat hen, French spinach, Garden orache, Juri, Korake, Labada, Labat, Lebeda, Loboda, Natina, Paharipalang, Pahari palak, Pepeljuga, Pezik otu, Suraka, Surake, Thoya kura, Thoyah-keeray, Tuinmelde, Yu qian bo cai

Synonyms

Atriplex acuminata M. Bieb.; Atriplex atrosanguinea Voss; Atriplex heterantha Wight; Atriplex hortensis var. rubra L.; and others