Orach, Northern saltbush, Scotland orache
Atriplex glabriuscula

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground. It can grow 20-100 cm high. The branches are opposite. The stems are green and striped. The leaves are 1-10 cm long by 1-8 cm wide. The seeds can be black or brown. They are 3-4 mm wide.

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. It grows in salty and brackish marshes. It can grow in coastal regions. It is best in sunny locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Britain, Canada, Europe, Greenland, Iceland, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves can be eaten as a vegetable. The seeds can be ground into a flour and used as a thickener or mixed with wheat flour for bread.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bracted orache

Synonyms

Atriplex babingtonii J. Woods; and others